Effects of Yoga in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

NCT ID: NCT07076576

Last Updated: 2025-07-22

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 34 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2022-12-01
• Study Completion Date: 2024-12-31

Brief Summary

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Due to the core symptoms of ADHD, more than 30-50% of children with the disorder may experience impaired motor abilities.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of yoga on core ADHD symptoms and motor skills. Thirty-three children with ADHD (ages 6-12) who are undergoing medication were randomly divided into two groups. The intervention group will participate in yoga sessions twice a week for 8 weeks, while the control group will not receive any additional intervention.

The Turgay Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale will be used to assess ADHD symptoms, and Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome will be evaluated using the Children and Adolescent Behavior Inventory (CABI) Family Questionnaire by a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Additionally, the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition-Short Form, will be administered by a physiotherapist to assess motor skills before, after, and one month following the intervention.

Detailed Description

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Due to these core symptoms, more than 30-50% of children with ADHD may experience impaired motor abilities.

Symptoms of ADHD include difficulty maintaining focus on tasks for extended periods, forgetfulness, restlessness, fidgeting, impatience, trouble waiting in line, frequent interruptions, frequent falls, injuries, and clumsiness. Additionally, 39% of children with ADHD also have Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS), which is characterized by symptoms such as daydreaming, slow and limited movement, appearing drowsy and lethargic, blank staring, looking confused, and impairments in motor and cognitive skills. CDS has been linked to psychopathology and functional impairments, including symptoms of depression and anxiety, independent of ADHD.

Treatment options for ADHD include both pharmacological and nonpharmacological approaches. Due to its neurological basis, pharmacological treatments are typically the first-line intervention. However, physical exercise interventions such as yoga are also considered alternative therapeutic options. Yoga requires participants to perform complex motor skill combinations accurately and fluidly. Research suggests that yoga enhances dopamine and serotonin levels, which play a role in modulating motor, executive, impulsive, and cognitive functions. As a mind-body intervention, yoga improves attention and inhibitory control, making it an enjoyable and effective therapeutic approach for children with attention deficits. The aim of our study was to examine the effects of an 8-week yoga intervention on core symptoms, Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome, and motor skills in children with ADHD.

Conditions

Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity (ADHD); Yoga; Motor Skills

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Yoga Training

The children in the experimental group underwent yoga training.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Yoga Training

Intervention Type: OTHER

The children in the experimental group underwent yoga training for a total of 16 sessions consisting of 45 minutes each session, 2 times a week for 8 weeks.

Control Group

The participants in the control group continued to their medication treatment and have not received any additional intervention.

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Yoga Training

The children in the experimental group underwent yoga training for a total of 16 sessions consisting of 45 minutes each session, 2 times a week for 8 weeks.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Aged 6 to 12 years
• Able to understand and accept verbal instructions
• Using medication which includes methylphenidate
• After the titration period, the drug dose should be between 0.6-1 mg/kg
• Not participating in any additional intervention programs other than the medication treatment initiated after the diagnosis
• The child and the parent being willing to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria

• Having comorbid diagnoses such as specific learning disorder, autism spectrum disorder, psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or mental retardation
• Having a neurological, metabolic, or orthopedic condition such as head trauma, cerebral palsy, epileptic seizures, or visual and speech impairments.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 6 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 12 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Pamukkale University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Elif Nur Taşcıoğlu

Research Assistant, Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Pamukkale University

Denizli, Kınıklı, Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

PAU-FTR-ENT-001

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id