Remote monitoring to predict and prevent negative outcomes in adolescents with ADHD during the move to adult care

ADHD Remote Technology and ADHD Transition: Predicting and Preventing Negative Outcomes

This project will try using smartphone apps and a wrist wearable to see if remotely collected data can predict and help prevent problems for 16–17-year-olds with ADHD as they move from child to adult services.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 500 (estimated)
• Ages: 16 Years to 17 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: King's College London (other)
• Locations: 1 site (London)
• Trial ID: NCT07228650 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational, remote-only project will enroll 16–17-year-olds with DSM-5 ADHD and collect active self-reports plus passive smartphone and wearable data using Android phones and a wearable device. Participants nominate a parent or guardian informant to provide collateral information. Data collection aims to identify patterns linked to poor clinical and social outcomes during the transition from child to adult services and to define real-world targets for interventions. The project is part of the MRC-funded ART-transition initiative and is led from King's College London in collaboration with several NHS Trusts.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are 16–17-year-olds with a DSM-5 diagnosis of ADHD who can consent, use an Android smartphone as their only phone during the study period, wear the provided device, and complete remote self-reports.

Not a fit: People currently experiencing psychosis, a major depressive episode, mania, recent psychiatric acute care contact, recent drug dependence, major neurological or medical disorders, pregnancy, IQ < 70, or those unable/unwilling to use the required Android phone or wearable are unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could identify young people at high risk during transition earlier and enable timely, targeted support to reduce drop-out and adverse outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous remote measurement and mHealth studies in mental health and ADHD have shown promising signals for monitoring and prediction, but applying RMT specifically to the care-transition period is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of DSM-5 ADHD
* Aged 16-17
* Able to give informed consent for participation
* Willing and able to complete self-reported assessments via smartphone
* Willing to use either their own compatible Android phone or a study Android - phone as their only smartphone during the data collection period
* Willing to wear the wearable device during the data collection period

Exclusion criteria

* Psychosis, currently experiencing a major depressive episode, mania, drug dependence in the last six months, or a major neurological disorder.
* Recent contact with psychiatric acute care (admission, crisis team or liaison team (A\&E) in the last six months
* Any other major medical disease which might impact upon the patient's ability to participate in normal daily activities (e.g., due to hospitalisations)
* Pregnancy
* IQ \< 70

Informant Inclusion Criteria:

* A parent or guardian, as chosen by the participant with ADHD
* Aged 18 or over
* Willing and able to complete web-based questionnaires regarding the participant with ADHD

Where this trial is running

London

• King's College London — London, United Kingdom (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jonna Kuntsi, PhD — Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London
• Study coordinator: Aislinn Bowler, PhD

Conditions: Attention Deficit Hyerpactivity Disorder, ADHD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, remote measurement technology, mHealth, Adolescence, medication adherence, Longitudinal