Acupuncture for ADHD: Acupoint Data Mining, Clinical Effectiveness, and Interviews to Explore Treatment Outcomes.

Summary

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture as a treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children aged 6-12 years. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research will triangulate data from acupoint data mining, treatment outcomes assessment, and patient perspectives to provide a comprehensive analysis of acupuncture's potential therapeutic benefits for ADHD. This prospective cohort study will recruit children diagnosed with ADHD, assigning them to receive either acupuncture combined with traditional Chinese herbal treatment or herbal treatment alone. Quantitative assessments using the the SNAP-IV, Conners 3-P, BRIEF-2, PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales, PSQI and CGI that will be complemented by qualitative interviews to capture nuanced patient experiences and treatment outcomes. The study will span 12 months, commencing on March 1st, 2025 with an expected completion by February 28th, 2026. By integrating quantitative assessments with qualitative insights, it aims to provide comprehensive evidence on acupuncture's role in ADHD management. Findings may inform clinical guidelines and enhance patient-centered care approaches.

Timeline

Start

2024-10-15

Primary completion

2026-10-15

Completion

2027-01-31

Publications

• Background Casebeer AL, Verhoef MJ. Combining qualitative and quantitative research methods: considering the possibilities for enhancing the study of chronic diseases. Chronic Dis Can. 1997;18(3):130-5.
• Background Zhao FY, Fu QQ, Kennedy GA, Conduit R, Zhang WJ, Wu WZ, Zheng Z. Can acupuncture improve objective sleep indices in patients with primary insomnia? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Med. 2021 Apr;80:244-259. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2021.01.053. Epub 2021 Feb 2.
• Background Li S, Yu B, Lin Z, Jiang S, He J, Kang L, Li W, Chen X, Wang X. Randomized-controlled study of treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder of preschool children with combined electro-acupuncture and behavior therapy. Complement Ther Med. 2010 Oct;18(5):175-83. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2010.08.002. Epub 2010 Aug 30.
• Background Zhang L, Huang C, Chen X, Du S, Yang J, Hu B. The efficacy of acupuncture for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): An overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Complement Ther Med. 2023 Sep;76:102968. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2023.102968. Epub 2023 Aug 8.
• Background Ang L, Kim JT, Kim K, Lee HW, Choi JY, Kim E, Lee MS. Acupuncture for Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Medicina (Kaunas). 2023 Feb 17;59(2):392. doi: 10.3390/medicina59020392.
• Background Zhou W, Cheng X, Zhang Y. Effect of Liuwei Dihuang decoction, a traditional Chinese medicinal prescription, on the neuroendocrine immunomodulation network. Pharmacol Ther. 2016 Jun;162:170-8. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2016.02.004. Epub 2016 Feb 16.
• Background Wolraich ML, Hagan JF, Allan C, et al; Subcommittee on Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder. Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics. 2019;144(4):e20192528. Pediatrics. 2020 Mar;145(3):e20193997. doi: 10.1542/peds.2019-3997. No abstract available.
• Background Langberg JM, Molitor SJ, Oddo LE, Eadeh HM, Dvorsky MR, Becker SP. Prevalence, Patterns, and Predictors of Sleep Problems and Daytime Sleepiness in Young Adolescents With ADHD. J Atten Disord. 2020 Feb;24(4):509-523. doi: 10.1177/1087054717690810. Epub 2017 Feb 4.
• Background Liang X, Qiu H, Li SX. Objectively measured sleep continuity in children and adolescents with ADHD: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatry Res. 2023 Oct;328:115447. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115447. Epub 2023 Aug 28.
• Background Wanni Arachchige Dona S, Badloe N, Sciberras E, Gold L, Coghill D, Le HND. The Impact of Childhood Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) on Children's Health-Related Quality of Life: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Atten Disord. 2023 Apr;27(6):598-611. doi: 10.1177/10870547231155438. Epub 2023 Feb 17.
• Background Danckaerts M, Sonuga-Barke EJ, Banaschewski T, Buitelaar J, Dopfner M, Hollis C, Santosh P, Rothenberger A, Sergeant J, Steinhausen HC, Taylor E, Zuddas A, Coghill D. The quality of life of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2010 Feb;19(2):83-105. doi: 10.1007/s00787-009-0046-3. Epub 2009 Jul 26.
• Background Groves NB, Wells EL, Soto EF, Marsh CL, Jaisle EM, Harvey TK, Kofler MJ. Executive Functioning and Emotion Regulation in Children with and without ADHD. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol. 2022 Jun;50(6):721-735. doi: 10.1007/s10802-021-00883-0. Epub 2021 Nov 11.
• Background Kofler MJ, Irwin LN, Soto EF, Groves NB, Harmon SL, Sarver DE. Executive Functioning Heterogeneity in Pediatric ADHD. J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2019 Feb;47(2):273-286. doi: 10.1007/s10802-018-0438-2.
• Background Choi WS, Woo YS, Wang SM, Lim HK, Bahk WM. The prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in adult ADHD compared with non-ADHD populations: A systematic literature review. PLoS One. 2022 Nov 4;17(11):e0277175. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277175. eCollection 2022.
• Background Anastopoulos AD, DuPaul GJ, Weyandt LL, Morrissey-Kane E, Sommer JL, Rhoads LH, Murphy KR, Gormley MJ, Gudmundsdottir BG. Rates and Patterns of Comorbidity Among First-Year College Students With ADHD. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2018 Mar-Apr;47(2):236-247. doi: 10.1080/15374416.2015.1105137. Epub 2016 Feb 6.
• Background Danielson ML, Bitsko RH, Ghandour RM, Holbrook JR, Kogan MD, Blumberg SJ. Prevalence of Parent-Reported ADHD Diagnosis and Associated Treatment Among U.S. Children and Adolescents, 2016. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2018 Mar-Apr;47(2):199-212. doi: 10.1080/15374416.2017.1417860. Epub 2018 Jan 24.
• Background Li F, Cui Y, Li Y, Guo L, Ke X, Liu J, Luo X, Zheng Y, Leckman JF. Prevalence of mental disorders in school children and adolescents in China: diagnostic data from detailed clinical assessments of 17,524 individuals. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2022 Jan;63(1):34-46. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.13445. Epub 2021 May 21.
• Background Simon V, Czobor P, Balint S, Meszaros A, Bitter I. Prevalence and correlates of adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: meta-analysis. Br J Psychiatry. 2009 Mar;194(3):204-11. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.107.048827.
• Background Gao Q, Qian Y, He XX, Sun L, Chang WL, Li YL, Cao QJ, Wang YF, Qian QJ. Childhood predictors of persistent ADHD in early adulthood: Results from the first follow-up study in China. Psychiatry Res. 2015 Dec 30;230(3):905-12. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.11.025. Epub 2015 Nov 17.

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