Ongoing Tai Chi Training for Children With ADHD

Effects of Ongoing Movement-Based Mindfulness Training for Children With ADHD

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: ADHD
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Continuous Tai Chi and Mindful Movement classes

Detailed Description

Persistent poor outcomes for individuals with ADHD make it imperative to explore intervention approaches beyond medication, particularly interventions that could provide sustained improvements in control of hyperactive, impulsive and distractible behavior. Two lines of evidence converge to support a movement-based mindfulness training intervention as a potential stand-alone or adjunct treatment for the treatment of ADHD symptoms. First, decades of research, including from the CNIR, has established that many children with ADHD show impairments in motor control that parallel impairments in behavioral and cognitive control. Second, there is mounting evidence that movement-based mindfulness interventions are effective for enhancing behavioral control in adults, although there has been limited examination in children. Pediatric applications of mindful movement training remain under-utilized and under-investigated. Critically, there is currently no solid evidence regarding the long-term effects of mindfulness-based approaches for children with developmental challenges. By engaging in extended practice, the investigators expect to effect more readily quantified changes in motor system targets that mediate changes in cognitive ADHD symptoms. These lines of evidence suggest an outstanding opportunity for development of long-term novel treatment approaches for ADHD through engagement of the motor system.

In this application the investigators propose to examine the efficacy of a specific movement-based mindfulness intervention for children with ADHD - Tai Chi. This approach was chosen for a number of reasons: 1) extensive documentation in the research literature, 2) engagement afforded by a martial approach to mindful movement, and 3) scalability given the existing availability of Tai Chi instruction in the United States and the ease of performing gentle Tai Chi movements even in the presence of physical limitation. The CNIR has evaluated the impact of Tai Chi training on specific motor behavioral (e.g., motor overflow, motor impersistence) and physiologic (TMS assessment of SICI) measures, as well as direct measures of clinical severity. Interestingly, while robust changes in ADHD symptoms have been observed, motor system targets have proven more challenging to characterize via laboratory methods in spite of obvious development of proficiency in tai chi movement skills. The investigators will therefore engage in a follow-on intervention of greater duration that may help elucidate changes that were difficult to detect following an initial 8-week tai chi intervention. By extending the intervention, markers useful in targeting and monitoring intervention may be better identified, with the overarching long-term goal of optimal use of Tai Chi and other movement-based approaches to help children with ADHD gain increased control of impulsive, hyperactive, and distractible behavior. The results of this investigation will lay the groundwork for future clinical trials evaluating movement training as an effective intervention for ADHD that could bolster (supplement) or even replace current standard treatments.

Overview of intervention

Tai Chi is a form of exercise with a variety of components and a strong cultural tradition. In consultation with experienced teachers of Tai Chi, the investigators have received consistent feedback that "martial applications," and specifically push hands, will likely be a valuable component of training for children with high distractibility. Central to the martial practice of Tai Chi is a collaborative game called "Push Hands," in which partners attempt to push one another off balance without the use of strong effort. Push hands, and other Tai Chi inspired "games" will be used to motivate engagement in slower, more focused movement training: Tai Chi warm-up, postural and breathing exercises, and a section of a Tai Chi form. These components are expected to collectively drive learning and development of behavioral control in the motor domain, with high potential for impact on other features of ADHD.

The mindful movement instructors have extensive experience with youth instruction, as well as a keen understanding of the relationships between Tai Chi and other mindful movement practices (i.e. yoga). An assistant instructor will additionally be engaged to assist with maintaining class focus. All instructors will be certified for ethical treatment of human subjects, as well as standards for youth physical education. Sessions will be held in an athletic facility on the Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI) Greenspring campus. The athletic facility was designed and equipped for children with a range of abilities as part of the LEAP Program (Life-skills and Education for Students with Autism and other Pervasive Behavioral Challenges). It is advantageously located on a campus that is very convenient for most Baltimore area families. The facility moreover has a high-impact floating rubber floor. This environmentally friendly and slip-resistant flooring provides cushioning, which reduces fatigue and potential for injury to the participants during physical activities.

Recruitment and testing

Participants will be recruited on a continuous and ongoing basis. During the intervention training, children will participate in the movement-based Tai Chi training for one hour twice a week. Up to ten students will participate per class. Students' families will be allowed to participate in the Tai Chi training & will therefore cap the total amount of people at each class at 20. It is expected that some students will be unable to successfully complete the study. Enrollment procedures will be adapted if necessary. As per the "intent to treat" approach, children will be included in primary analyses irrespective of adherence to protocol (i.e., attendance). However, children may be requested to leave the class if their absence becomes disruptive.

Pre-intervention data collection will occur at the start of participation in the intervention. Further data collection will continue on a rolling basis with expected data collection every six months following at a Kennedy Krieger Institute facility. In total, it is anticipated that 50 participants complete the training and data collection.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 50
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Maryland
    • Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21211
      • LEAP Facility at Kennedy Krieger Institute

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 8 years to 15 years (Child)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children must meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD, based on information from previous participation in "Movement-Based Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD: A Feasibility Study." Additionally, children must meet criteria on the parent and teacher Conners-3
• Comorbid oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and anxiety disorders are permitted
• Stimulants, psychoactive medications, or no medication are allowed

Exclusion Criteria:

• diagnosis of Intellectual Disability, Developmental Language Disorder, Reading Disability, or Autism (screened for using the Social Competence Questionnaire (SCQ)
• neurologic disorder (e.g., epilepsy, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, Tourette Syndrome)
• documented hearing impairment ≥ 25 dB (decibel) loss in either ear.
• a Full Scale IQ (Intelligence Quotient) score on the WISC-IV (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) below 80
• a standard score below 85 on the Word Reading Subtest, regardless of IQ score
• foster care
• Female participants will be excluded if they are pregnant or may be pregnant

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Experimental: Tai Chi; Ongoing, continuous Tai Chi and mindful movement instruction, 1 hour, twice per week

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).; Other Names: tai chi; taichi; tai ji; taiji; t'ai chi; t'ai ji

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Cognitive Motor Control: Response inhibition	RDoC (research domain criteria) battery for cognitive control targeting response inhibition delivered via laboratory computer (Go/No-Go) examining percentage of error rate and successful inhibition. Significant improvements in response inhibition are expected over the course of the intervention.	From date of baseline and at every 6 months following, assessed up to 60 months.
Cognitive Motor Control: Response inhibition	RDoC (research domain criteria) battery for cognitive control targeting response inhibition delivered via laboratory computer (Flanker) examining percentage of error rate and successful inhibition. Significant improvements in response inhibition are expected over the course of the intervention.	From date of baseline and at every 6 months following, assessed up to 60 months.
Cognitive Motor Control: Response inhibition	RDoC (research domain criteria) battery for cognitive control targeting response inhibition delivered via laboratory computer (Stop-Signal) examining percentage of error rate and successful inhibition. Significant improvements in response inhibition are expected over the course of the intervention.	From date of baseline and at every 6 months following, assessed up to 60 months.
Cognitive Motor Control: Response inhibition	RDoC (research domain criteria) battery for cognitive control targeting response inhibition delivered via laboratory computer (Mirror Tracing Persistence Task) examining percentage of error rate and successful inhibition. Significant improvements in response inhibition are expected over the course of the intervention.	From date of baseline and at every 6 months following, assessed up to 60 months.
Cognitive Motor Control: Response inhibition	RDoC (research domain criteria) battery for cognitive control targeting response inhibition delivered via laboratory computer (DKEFS Trail Making Task) examining percentage of error rate and successful inhibition. Significant improvements in response inhibition are expected over the course of the intervention.	From date of baseline and at every 6 months following, assessed up to 60 months.
Behavioral Assessment of Motor Persistence	Measure of oculomotor persistence and inhibition using the Lateral Gaze Fixation task. Improvements in oculomotor persistence are expected over the course of the intervention.	From date of baseline and at every 6 months following, assessed up to 60 months.
Behavioral Assessment of Motor Persistence	Measure of motor persistence and inhibition using the NEPSY Statue Task ("A Developmental NEuroPSYchological Assessment"). Improvements in motor persistence are expected over the course of the intervention.	From date of baseline and at every 6 months following, assessed up to 60 months.
Behavioral Assessments of Motor Overflow	Measure of motor overflow from the PANESS (Physical and Neurologic Examination of Subtle Signs). Improvements in motor overflow are expected over the course of the intervention.	From date of baseline and at every 6 months following, assessed up to 60 months.
Behavioral Assessments of Basic Motor Control	Measure of motor control from the mABC-2 (Movement Assessment Battery for Children). Improvements in motor control are expected over the course of the intervention.	From date of baseline and at every 6 months following, assessed up to 60 months.
Clinical Measure of ADHD Symptom Severity	The Conners-3 survey (parent and teacher). Improvements on this measure are expected over the course of the intervention. In particular, based on previous findings from the CNIR initiated mindful movement feasibility study, marked improvements on Connors-3 subscales for Inattentiveness and Hyperactivity are expected.	From date of baseline and at every 6 months following, assessed up to 60 months.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Clinical Measure of Mindfulness	The CAMM (Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure) will be administered. Improvements on this measure are expected over the course of the intervention.	From date of baseline and at every 6 months following, assessed up to 60 months.
Clinical Measure of Quality of Life	The PedsQL (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory) (parent and child) will be administered. Improvements on this measure are expected over the course of the intervention.	From date of baseline and at every 6 months following, assessed up to 60 months.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Stewart Mostofsky, MD, Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 2, 2017
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 31, 2023
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 27, 2017
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 9, 2018
• First Posted (Actual): February 15, 2018

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): January 19, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 18, 2024
• Last Verified: January 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Attention; Motor Control; Cognitive Control
• Other Study ID Numbers: IRB00143364

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No