How sleep, physical activity, and circadian rhythms relate to different ADHD symptoms.
Examination of the Dynamic Relationships of Sleep, Physical Activity, and Circadian Rhythmicity With Neurobehavioral Heterogeneity in ADHD
This study uses a wristband and cognitive tasks to see if sleep patterns, daily activity, and body‑clock rhythms are linked to symptom differences in people with ADHD.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Ages | 8 Years to 12 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc. Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Baltimore, Maryland and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06810180 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Participants will wear a wristband to record continuous sleep and activity data alongside brief momentary assessments and a battery of cognitive tasks (Go/No‑Go, Stop Signal, Delay Discounting, Mirror Tracing, Spatial Span). The study enrolls a clinical ADHD group meeting DSM‑5 criteria and a control group without neurodevelopmental or psychological diagnoses, with exclusions for prematurity, prenatal substance exposure, traumatic brain injury, certain co-occurring disorders, and certain medications. Researchers will analyze 24‑hour rest/activity rhythms, sleep disturbances, and daytime activity metrics in relation to attention, impulsivity, emotion dysregulation, and related behavioral and neural measures. The aim is to identify objective sleep/activity markers that map onto different ADHD symptom profiles to inform better assessment and targeted interventions.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: People who meet DSM‑5 criteria for ADHD, can wear a wristband and complete cognitive testing and visits, and do not have excluded prenatal exposures, prematurity, traumatic brain injury, certain co-occurring neurodevelopmental or psychiatric disorders, or non‑stoppable long‑acting psychotropic medications.
Not a fit: Individuals with co-occurring autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, major mood or anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, active psychosis, conduct disorder, significant prenatal exposures, prematurity, traumatic brain injury, or who cannot discontinue certain medications are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help personalize assessment and treatment by identifying sleep and activity patterns linked to specific ADHD symptom profiles.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked sleep and circadian disruptions to ADHD symptoms and has used wearables and EMA successfully, but combining continuous wrist actigraphy with cognitive tasks to map neurobehavioral subtypes is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
ADHD Clinical Group. Meet criteria for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) according to DSM-5 criteria. Exclusion Criteria: Prematurity Prenatal exposure to alcohol or other substances Traumatic brain injury Co-occurring neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability) Anxiety/mood disorders Active psychosis Bipolar disorder Conduct disorder Currently taking longer acting psychotropic medications that cannot be discontinued the day before research appointments Control Group. Does not meet criteria for psychological or neuropsychological disorders Does not meet criteria for intellectual disability Does not meet criteria for a learning disorder Exclusion Criteria: Prematurity Prenatal exposure to alcohol or other substances Traumatic brain injury Currently taking medications that cannot be discontinued the day before research appointments
Where this trial is running
Baltimore, Maryland and 1 other locations
- Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger — Baltimore, Maryland, United States (Recruiting)
- Kennedy Krieger Institute — Baltimore, Maryland, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Keri S Rosch, PhD in Clinical Psychology
- Email: Rosch@KennedyKrieger.org
- Phone: 443-923-9465
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.