The Effectiveness of Aerobic Exercise in the Treatment of Adults With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Summary

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured aerobic exercise intervention for adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with and without medication and compare it to medication alone. Participants will be randomly assigned to medication only + education, aerobic exercise intervention only, and combined aerobic exercise and medication groups. Participants will be evaluated at baseline, following medication optimization (for medicated groups), following 8 weeks of intervention, after 3 months of follow-up, and after 6 months of follow-up. The investigators hypothesize that the combined group will have the best outcome at all evaluation points and that treatment gains will be maintained throughout the follow-up period if the assigned treatments are continued.

Timeline

Start

2016-04

Primary completion

2018-12

Completion

2018-12

Publications

• Background Davis CL, Tomporowski PD, McDowell JE, Austin BP, Miller PH, Yanasak NE, Allison JD, Naglieri JA. Exercise improves executive function and achievement and alters brain activation in overweight children: a randomized, controlled trial. Health Psychol. 2011 Jan;30(1):91-8. doi: 10.1037/a0021766.
• Background Kang KD, Choi JW, Kang SG, Han DH. Sports therapy for attention, cognitions and sociality. Int J Sports Med. 2011 Dec;32(12):953-9. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1283175. Epub 2011 Nov 8.
• Background Smith AL, Hoza B, Linnea K, McQuade JD, Tomb M, Vaughn AJ, Shoulberg EK, Hook H. Pilot physical activity intervention reduces severity of ADHD symptoms in young children. J Atten Disord. 2013 Jan;17(1):70-82. doi: 10.1177/1087054711417395. Epub 2011 Aug 25.
• Background Tantillo M, Kesick CM, Hynd GW, Dishman RK. The effects of exercise on children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002 Feb;34(2):203-12. doi: 10.1097/00005768-200202000-00004.
• Background Kramer AF, Hahn S, Cohen NJ, Banich MT, McAuley E, Harrison CR, Chason J, Vakil E, Bardell L, Boileau RA, Colcombe A. Ageing, fitness and neurocognitive function. Nature. 1999 Jul 29;400(6743):418-9. doi: 10.1038/22682. No abstract available.
• Background Fiatarone Singh MA, Gates N, Saigal N, Wilson GC, Meiklejohn J, Brodaty H, Wen W, Singh N, Baune BT, Suo C, Baker MK, Foroughi N, Wang Y, Sachdev PS, Valenzuela M. The Study of Mental and Resistance Training (SMART) study-resistance training and/or cognitive training in mild cognitive impairment: a randomized, double-blind, double-sham controlled trial. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2014 Dec;15(12):873-80. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2014.09.010. Epub 2014 Oct 23.
• Background Verret C, Guay MC, Berthiaume C, Gardiner P, Beliveau L. A physical activity program improves behavior and cognitive functions in children with ADHD: an exploratory study. J Atten Disord. 2012 Jan;16(1):71-80. doi: 10.1177/1087054710379735. Epub 2010 Sep 13.
• Background Robinson AM, Bucci DJ. Individual and combined effects of physical exercise and methylphenidate on orienting behavior and social interaction in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Behav Neurosci. 2014 Dec;128(6):703-12. doi: 10.1037/bne0000015. Epub 2014 Aug 25.
• Background Freeman MP. ADHD and pregnancy. Am J Psychiatry. 2014 Jul;171(7):723-8. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.13050680.
• Background Cole CR, Blackstone EH, Pashkow FJ, Snader CE, Lauer MS. Heart-rate recovery immediately after exercise as a predictor of mortality. N Engl J Med. 1999 Oct 28;341(18):1351-7. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199910283411804.
• Background Nishime EO, Cole CR, Blackstone EH, Pashkow FJ, Lauer MS. Heart rate recovery and treadmill exercise score as predictors of mortality in patients referred for exercise ECG. JAMA. 2000 Sep 20;284(11):1392-8. doi: 10.1001/jama.284.11.1392.
• Background Gajria K, Lu M, Sikirica V, Greven P, Zhong Y, Qin P, Xie J. Adherence, persistence, and medication discontinuation in patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder - a systematic literature review. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2014 Aug 22;10:1543-69. doi: 10.2147/NDT.S65721. eCollection 2014.
• Background Joseph A, Cloutier M, Guerin A, Nitulescu R, Sikirica V. Treatment outcomes after methylphenidate in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder treated with lisdexamfetamine dimesylate or atomoxetine. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2016 Mar 24;10:391-405. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S98498. eCollection 2016.
• Background Barnes DE, Santos-Modesitt W, Poelke G, Kramer AF, Castro C, Middleton LE, Yaffe K. The Mental Activity and eXercise (MAX) trial: a randomized controlled trial to enhance cognitive function in older adults. JAMA Intern Med. 2013 May 13;173(9):797-804. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.189.
• Background Safren SA, Sprich S, Mimiaga MJ, Surman C, Knouse L, Groves M, Otto MW. Cognitive behavioral therapy vs relaxation with educational support for medication-treated adults with ADHD and persistent symptoms: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2010 Aug 25;304(8):875-80. doi: 10.1001/jama.2010.1192.

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Indications