The Effects of Lemon Essential Oil Inhalation on Attention in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
8 maggio 2026 aggiornato da: Başakşehir Çam & Sakura City Hospital
Lemon Essential Oil Inhalation Improves Sustained Attention in Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Placebo-Controlled Trial
This randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the acute effects of lemon essential oil inhalation on sustained attention and visual memory in children diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Fifty-two medication-naive children aged 9-16 were randomized to receive either lemon oil or placebo inhalation before cognitive assessments.
Primary outcome was sustained attention performance.
The study found significant improvements in attention scores in the lemon oil group.
Panoramica dello studio
Stato
Completato
Condizioni
Intervento / Trattamento
Descrizione dettagliata
This randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind clinical trial investigates the acute effects of lemon essential oil (LEO) inhalation on sustained attention and visual memory in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Essential oils, particularly those rich in monoterpenes such as limonene, have demonstrated neuroactive properties through cholinergic modulation and limbic-prefrontal engagement via the olfactory pathway.
Fifty-two children aged 9-16 years, newly diagnosed with ADHD and not receiving any pharmacological treatment, were randomized to either the LEO group or the placebo group. Participants in the LEO group inhaled 5 drops of 100% pure Citrus limon essential oil via a cotton pad for five minutes prior to cognitive testing. The placebo group received an identical application with odorless distilled water.
Cognitive performance was assessed at baseline and 30 days later using the D2 Attention Test (primary outcome) and the Benton Visual Memory Test (secondary outcome). The entire intervention was conducted under standardized conditions, with blinded outcome assessment and strict adherence to procedural fidelity.
This study is the first to evaluate the short-term cognitive effects of lemon essential oil inhalation in children with clinical ADHD and aims to provide evidence for potential non-pharmacological support strategies.
Tipo di studio
Interventistico
Iscrizione (Effettivo)
52
Fase
- Non applicabile
Contatti e Sedi
Questa sezione fornisce i recapiti di coloro che conducono lo studio e informazioni su dove viene condotto lo studio.
Luoghi di studio
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Istanbul, Turchia (Türkiye)
- Basaksehir Çam Ve Sakura City Hospital
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Criteri di partecipazione
I ricercatori cercano persone che corrispondano a una certa descrizione, chiamata criteri di ammissibilità. Alcuni esempi di questi criteri sono le condizioni generali di salute di una persona o trattamenti precedenti.
Criteri di ammissibilità
Età idonea allo studio
- Bambino
Accetta volontari sani
Sì
Descrizione
Inclusion Criteria:
- Children aged 9 to 16 years
- Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) based on DSM-5 criteria
- Medication-naive (not currently using or previously treated with pharmacological agents for ADHD)
- No chronic medical or psychiatric comorbidities
- Capable of completing standardized cognitive assessments (e.g., D2 Attention Test, Benton Visual Memory Test)
- Written informed consent obtained from a parent or legal guardian
- Written assent obtained from the child
Exclusion Criteria:
- Lack of written parental consent or child assent
- Inability to comply with the study protocol (e.g., refusal to complete cognitive testing or intervention procedure)
- Current or prior use of ADHD medication
- Presence of moderate-to-severe ADHD symptoms requiring immediate pharmacological treatment (based on AACAP 2020 and NICE 2019 guidelines)
- Presence of any chronic medical or psychiatric comorbid condition
- Diagnosis not confirmed by a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist
Piano di studio
Questa sezione fornisce i dettagli del piano di studio, compreso il modo in cui lo studio è progettato e ciò che lo studio sta misurando.
Come è strutturato lo studio?
Dettagli di progettazione
- Scopo principale: Terapia di supporto
- Assegnazione: Randomizzato
- Modello interventistico: Assegnazione parallela
- Mascheramento: Separare
Armi e interventi
Gruppo di partecipanti / Arm |
Intervento / Trattamento |
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Sperimentale: Lemon Essential Oil Inhalation (LEO)
Participants in this arm received a single-session inhalation of 100% pure lemon essential oil (Citrus limon) via a sterile cotton pad.
Five drops of essential oil were applied to the pad, which was held approximately 5 cm from the participant's nose.
The child inhaled the scent for 5 minutes under supervision in a clinical setting.
Neuropsychological testing (D2 Attention Test and Benton Visual Memory Test) followed immediately after inhalation.
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This intervention consists of a single-session, short-term olfactory exposure to 100% pure lemon essential oil (Citrus limon, ISO 9235 compliant, GC-MS confirmed composition: limonene 67.2%, β-pinene 12.3%, γ-terpinene 9.8%).
Five drops were applied to a sterile cotton pad and held approximately 5 cm from the participant's nose.
Participants inhaled the aroma for 5 minutes under direct supervision in a quiet, odor-free clinical setting.
This intervention was administered immediately prior to standardized neuropsychological assessments measuring attention and visual memory.
No ingestion or topical application occurred.
Altri nomi:
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Comparatore placebo: Placebo Inhalation (Distilled Water)
Participants in this arm received a single-session inhalation of distilled water as placebo.
Five drops of distilled water were applied to a sterile cotton pad, which was held approximately 5 cm from the participant's nose.
The child inhaled the scentless solution for 5 minutes under supervision.
Neuropsychological testing (D2 Attention Test and Benton Visual Memory Test) followed immediately after inhalation.
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The placebo condition involved the same protocol as the intervention group, using five drops of distilled water applied to a sterile cotton pad.
The pad was held approximately 5 cm from the participant's nose, and inhalation lasted for 5 minutes.
The procedure was designed to mimic the intervention without olfactory stimulation, ensuring consistency in timing, setting, and administration method.
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Cosa sta misurando lo studio?
Misure di risultato primarie
Misura del risultato |
Misura Descrizione |
Lasso di tempo |
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Change in D2 Attention Test Total Performance Score (TN-E)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline and Day 30 (after intervention)
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The D2 Attention Test evaluates sustained attention and concentration performance.
The TN-E (Total Number of Correct Items minus Errors) score reflects attentional capacity.
A higher post-intervention TN-E score indicates improved attention.
The difference between baseline and Day 30 scores will be compared between the lemon essential oil group and placebo group.
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Baseline and Day 30 (after intervention)
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Misure di risultato secondarie
Misura del risultato |
Misura Descrizione |
Lasso di tempo |
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Change in Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT) Score
Lasso di tempo: Baseline and Day 30 (after intervention)
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The Benton Visual Retention Test assesses visual memory and visuospatial construction skills.
Scores range based on correct reproductions of geometric figures.
The change in BVRT scores from baseline to Day 30 will be analyzed to assess the impact of lemon essential oil inhalation versus placebo.
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Baseline and Day 30 (after intervention)
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Collaboratori e investigatori
Qui è dove troverai le persone e le organizzazioni coinvolte in questo studio.
Studiare le date dei record
Queste date tengono traccia dell'avanzamento della registrazione dello studio e dell'invio dei risultati di sintesi a ClinicalTrials.gov. I record degli studi e i risultati riportati vengono esaminati dalla National Library of Medicine (NLM) per assicurarsi che soddisfino specifici standard di controllo della qualità prima di essere pubblicati sul sito Web pubblico.
Studia le date principali
Inizio studio (Effettivo)
15 febbraio 2022
Completamento primario (Effettivo)
30 settembre 2023
Completamento dello studio (Effettivo)
30 settembre 2023
Date di iscrizione allo studio
Primo inviato
24 dicembre 2025
Primo inviato che soddisfa i criteri di controllo qualità
8 maggio 2026
Primo Inserito (Effettivo)
14 maggio 2026
Aggiornamenti dei record di studio
Ultimo aggiornamento pubblicato (Effettivo)
14 maggio 2026
Ultimo aggiornamento inviato che soddisfa i criteri QC
8 maggio 2026
Ultimo verificato
1 dicembre 2025
Maggiori informazioni
Termini relativi a questo studio
Parole chiave
Termini MeSH pertinenti aggiuntivi
Altri numeri di identificazione dello studio
- 10.06.2021-21
Piano per i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)
Hai intenzione di condividere i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)?
NO
Descrizione del piano IPD
Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared for this study due to ethical considerations, privacy protection regulations involving minors, and the absence of prior consent for data sharing beyond the scope of this trial.
Additionally, the study was conducted with a small sample size from a single center, limiting the generalizability and reuse of anonymized data for broader analysis.
Informazioni su farmaci e dispositivi, documenti di studio
Studia un prodotto farmaceutico regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti
No
Studia un dispositivo regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti
No
Queste informazioni sono state recuperate direttamente dal sito web clinicaltrials.gov senza alcuna modifica. In caso di richieste di modifica, rimozione o aggiornamento dei dettagli dello studio, contattare register@clinicaltrials.gov. Non appena verrà implementata una modifica su clinicaltrials.gov, questa verrà aggiornata automaticamente anche sul nostro sito web .