Finding Alternatives to Standard Treatment for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (FAST-ADHD)

May 11, 2026 updated by: Kara Murias, University of Calgary
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by poor attention, impulsivity, hyperactivity and emotional-motivational dysregulation. Here, we will test if theta burst repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can reduce the symptoms of ADHD.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Background & Rationale Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by poor attention, impulsivity, hyperactivity and emotional-motivational dysregulation. It has an estimated prevalence of 5% in children. Usually, ADHD in children is treated with stimulant medications, such as methylphenidate. However, these pharmacotherapy treatments have numerous unwanted side effects, including sleep disturbances, appetite changes, and emotional lability, and do not prove to be effective in every case.

A promising and alternative option for reducing ADHD symptoms is non-invasive brain stimulation. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation which involves the application of a magnetic field to the skull to change the behaviour and function of underlying brain areas. In turn, rTMS leads to positive long-term changes in neurochemical activity, and while studies are limited, some have shown that rTMS can reduce ADHD symptoms in adolescents with ADHD.

Methods Design: Open label TMS trial Primary Outcome: To examine the effect of active rTMS to the right prefrontal cortex on attention as measured by the TEACh-2

Outline:

  1. Baseline Assessment (MRI Scan, assessment scales, neuropsychological testing)
  2. rTMS intervention: 5 / week for 4 weeks.
  3. Post-intervention Assessment (MRI Scan, assessment scales, neuropsychological testing).

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

30

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

8 years to 16 years (Child)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Diagnosis of ADHD
  2. 9-15 years old
  3. IQ greater than 80
  4. English fluency (to enable consent/assent)
  5. If on medication, must have been on the same type and dosage for at least 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Diagnosis of mania, psychosis, or bipolar disorder
  2. Impediments to TMS or MRI (i.e. metal implants in body)
  3. Prior electroconvulsive therapy or vagus nerve stimulation
  4. Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Active rTMS
Active repetitive TMS
Device: rTMS
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
TEACH-2
Time Frame: Baseline to week 5
Test of everyday attention in children - 2. Direct assessment of attention abilities in children.
Baseline to week 5

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
SNAP-18
Time Frame: 5 weeks and 52 weeks.
Parent reporting of ADHD symptom severity
5 weeks and 52 weeks.
PedsQL
Time Frame: Baseline to week 5
Self reporting of quality of life
Baseline to week 5

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University of Calgary

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

March 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 25, 2020

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 25, 2020

First Posted (Actual)

August 31, 2020

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 14, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 11, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • REB20-1415

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

IPD Plan Description

If we do make individual participant data (IPD) available to other researchers it will be in keeping with local provincial laws on health information privacy. Data (if available) will be provided upon request.

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

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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