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Ongoing Tai Chi Training for Children With ADHD

NCT03434509 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 15

Last updated 2026-03-02

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has tremendous individual and societal impact, and the effectiveness of current standard treatments is limited. Thus, there are potential public health benefits for novel behavioral training programs that could remediate the core features of ADHD and contribute to sustained improvements in behavioral control. There is mounting evidence that children with ADHD show difficulties with motor control, and that these motor deficits are strongly associated with the core behavioral features of ADHD. Based on this information, the CNIR initiated a feasibility trial of a movement-based intervention, utilizing Tai Chi practice, targeting improved behavioral control through engagement of the motor system and results are highly promising. The investigators therefore will employ an extension of our ongoing Tai Chi programs for children with ADHD, beginning with children who have already completed one of the previous Tai Chi sessions. This program will provide the basis for studying the long-term effects of mindful movement, as well as creating a foundation for exploring the way that such interventions can be expanded into a more realistic support setting for the community.

Hypothesis: After participating in the ongoing Tai Chi program, children with ADHD will show improvements in behavioral measures of motor, cognitive, and attentional control. The investigators further expect movement-based training will result in decreases in ADHD symptom severity.

Conditions

  • ADHD

Interventions

OTHER

Continuous Tai Chi and Mindful Movement classes

Participants will be enrolled in ongoing Tai Chi and mindful movement classes throughout the year, for 1 hour twice a week. Class sessions will consist of warm up (yoga- and mindfulness-based practices), postural and breathing exercises, Tai Chi form practice, and Tai Chi games (including push hands). Children on stimulant medications will remain on these medications during the training period (though they will be asked to stop medications one day prior to motor and cognitive testing).

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Stewart Mostofsky, MD · Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
8 Years
Max Age
15 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2017-11-02
Primary Completion
2023-12-31
Completion
2026-02-26

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT03434509 on ClinicalTrials.gov