Physical exercise in Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder - Effects of a 12-week training in adolescents and young adults

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Alexandra Philipsen
• Subject Area: Clinical Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 537706581

ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder with core symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, and a worldwide prevalence of 5% in childhood and 2.5% in adulthood. Particularly, transitional aged youth are a vulnerable high burdened patient group due to loss of supporting environment, low treatment adherence, and high risk of comorbid disorders. Current ADHD treatment guidelines recommend a multimodal approach based on psychoeducation (PE). Stimulants are the first line medication. However, in light of non-responder rates of 20-50% and adverse events, there is a need to develop further treatment approaches. Previous studies in children and own data point towards a positive influence of physical exercise (EX) on ADHD symptoms, whereas well-controlled randomized clinical trials in adolescents and young adults are still lacking. The requested study will investigate the effects of 12-week group intervention with PE and individualized EX (instructed indoor cycling) on ADHD symptoms, including multi-level psychophysiological markers. The effects will be compared to an active control group receiving PE as well as supportive counselling. This longitudinal study with four measurement points (including a 3-month follow-up) will focus on the vulnerable transition period from adolescence to young adulthood (16-24 years) in ADHD patients. This exploratory study with small sample size intends to prepare a multicenter confirmatory study, in order to expand the multimodal treatment approach and to address the individualized therapeutic need.

• DFG Programme: Clinical Trials
• Co-Investigators: Professorin Dr. Kerstin Konrad; Dr. Aylin Mehren