NCT06456372 · University of California, Riverside
Digital Health Intervention for Children With ADHD
What this study is about
To conduct an RCT to evaluate the effectiveness of the system, we will recruit 60 children (ages 8-12) with ADHD who will be randomly assigned to either immediate (n=30) or delayed (n=30) treatment (i.e., a wait-list control group).
View original scientific description
To conduct an RCT to evaluate the efficacy of the system, we will recruit 60 children (ages 8-12) with ADHD who will be randomized to either immediate (n=30) or delayed (n=30) treatment (i.e., a wait-list control group). Among those randomized to immediate treatment, half will be assigned to DHI (delivered via a smartwatch and smartphone application) and half will be assigned to an active control treatment as usual (TAU) group who will receive the smartwatch with no assigned activities, applications, or interventions on the devices. The intervention period will last 16 weeks; after a participant has been in the delayed treatment group for 16 weeks and has completed the post-waiting period assessment, he or she will be assigned to either the intervention or active control group. Thus, 30 participants will complete the intervention and 30 will complete the active control, with half of the total sample also completing a wait-list period.
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL
Digital Health Intervention Group
Our digital health intervention (DHI) uses Patient-Centered Digital Healthcare Technologies (PC-DHT) to promote co-regulation (child/parent), capture patient data, support efficient healthcare delivery, enhance patient engagement, and facilitate shared decision-making, thereby improving access to timely and targeted mental health intervention for children at great risk for poor outcomes. This system will integrate treatment across multiple points of care and will enable health care providers and caregivers to share reliable and targeted information that will facilitate collaborative decision-making (e.g., making decisions about changing or titrating medications/dosages or shifting behavioral therapy and educational intervention targets) and improve patient experiences and outcomes.
Primary outcome measures
Child Self-Regulation - BASC-3 SRP, PRS, TRS
Time frame: 1 Year
Behavior Assessment System for Children - BASC-3 Self, Parent, and Teacher reports - The Behavior Assessment System for Children - Third Edition is an individually-administered, norm-referenced, comprehensive set of rating scales and forms designed to inform understanding of the behaviors and emotions of children and adolescents ages 2 years through 21 years, 11 months. Forms available in this system include Parent Rating Scales (PRS), Teacher Rating Scales (TRS), the Self-Report of Personality (SRP; 6 years through 21 years, 11 months), and the Parenting Relationship Questionnaire (PRQ). The TRS/PRS rater responds to items about observed behaviors by answering N for Never, S for Sometimes, O for Often, or A for Almost always. The SRP respondent answers items about personal thoughts and feelings experienced. SRP items have one of two response formats: T for True or F for False; or N for Never, S for Sometimes, O for Often, or A for Almost always.
ADHD Symptoms - BASC-3 SRP, PRS, TRS
Time frame: 1 Year
BASC-3 Self, Parent, and Teacher reports - The Behavior Assessment System for Children - Third Edition is an individually-administered, norm-referenced, comprehensive set of rating scales and forms designed to inform understanding of the behaviors and emotions of children and adolescents ages 2 years through 21 years, 11 months. Forms available in this system include Parent Rating Scales (PRS), Teacher Rating Scales (TRS), the Self-Report of Personality (SRP; 6 years through 21 years, 11 months), and the Parenting Relationship Questionnaire (PRQ). The TRS/PRS rater responds to items about observed behaviors by answering N for Never, S for Sometimes, O for Often, or A for Almost always. The SRP respondent answers items about personal thoughts and feelings experienced. SRP items have one of two response formats: T for True or F for False; or N for Never, S for Sometimes, O for Often, or A for Almost always.
ADHD Symptoms - Brown EF/A
Time frame: 1 Year
Brown Executive Function/Attention Scales (Parent and Self Reports) - The Brown Scales screen and assess impairments of executive functioning (EF) and attention. They assess a wide range of symptoms of EF impairments associated with ADHD/ADD. These normed rating scales elicit parent and teacher report for children ages 3-12 yrs. For 8-12 year olds, a normed self-report version is also available. The scales are organized into six clusters of EF (i.e., Activation, Focus, Effort, Emotion, Memory, Action) with items tapping severity not frequency. This measure contains context-specific items (e.g., difficulty remembering what has been read when assigned), includes DSM-5-TR ADHD symptoms, and aspects of EF impairments not in the disorder's diagnostic criteria. They are designed to be completed by various respondents who have knowledge about an individual's daily behaviors and who have had extended and frequent opportunities to observe the individuals' responses to environmental demands.
ADHD Symptoms - SWAN
Time frame: 1 Year
Strengths and Weakness of ADHD-symptoms \& Normal-behavior Scale (SWAN: Self, Parent, and Teacher reports) - SWAN screens for ADHD in youth \<18. It is completed by a parent/teacher \& has 18 questions that compare a child's attention skills to others of the same age group, family, \& school environment on skills like focusing attention, controlling anxiety, \& inhibiting impulsive behavior during tasks that require prolonged mental effort \& during daily activities. SWAN is based on observations of normal \& abnormal attention skills in different populations \& captures a range of behaviors. SWAN comprises 30 items measuring the full range of behavior, instead of only the pathological signs \& symptoms of ADHD \& measures behavioral characteristics representative of the attention skills of the general population. The seven-point response is scored from +3 to -3. Far below average = 3, below average = 2, slightly below average = 1; average = -1; above average = -2; \& far above average = -3.
Parent Self-Regulation - BASC-3 PRQ
Time frame: 1 Year
BASC-3 Parenting Relationship Questionnaire (PRQ) - The BASC-3 PRQ is a measure of a parent's perspective on the parent's relationship with the child. It is standardized and normed and requires about 10-15 minutes for completion. It has 7 scales: Attachment, Communication, Discipline Practices, Involvement, Parenting Confidence, Satisfaction with School, Relational Frustration. Our primary focus will be on the Relational Frustration scale. Additional secondary analyses will be conducted to assess changes in parent behaviors. This scale can be administered remotely using Pearson's Q Global Remote Assessment Platform.
Engagement in Care - PAM Child
Time frame: 1 Year
The Patient Activation Measure® (PAM) is a 10- or 13-item survey that assesses an individual's knowledge, skills and confidence integral to managing one's own health and healthcare. PAM segments individuals into one of four activation levels, providing insight into health-related characteristics like attitudes, motivators and behaviors. Each item has four response options: "disagree strongly," "disagree," "agree" and "agree strongly." The PAM has a theoretical range from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate greater activation.
Engagement in Care - PAM Parent
Time frame: 1 Year
Parent Patient Activation Measure (Parent PAM) - P-PAM was designed for use among caregivers of pediatric patients and requires parents to assess their knowledge, confidence, and willingness to act in regard to their child's health. The questionnaire aims to include a quantitative measure of all aspects of parent engagement on behalf of their child and also represents the individual level of engagement. Response options are on a four-point Likert scale ranging from (1) 'disagree strongly' to (4) 'agree strongly' or the option of (5) 'not applicable'. The total activation score was calculated on a continuous scale ranging from 0-100 and stratified into four levels of activation with higher scores corresponding to higher activation.
Perceptions of Shared-Decision Making and Treatment Collaborations - Child & Parent
Time frame: 1 Year
Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised - The Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised is a 12-item validated scale that evaluates the working relationship between a client and a clinician. A sample item reads, "I believe the way we are working with my problem is correct" and has a rating from 1 (seldom) to 5 (always).
Perceptions of Shared-Decision Making and Treatment Collaborations - Provider/Educator
Time frame: 1 Year
Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised - The Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised has a provider version of a 12-item validated scale that evaluates the working relationship between a client and a clinician. A sample item reads, "We are working on mutually agreed upon goals" and has a rating from 1 (seldom) to 5 (always). This scale has a version for other providers (e.g., physicians), which will be used for participants who are not providing mental health care to the child.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- DSM-5TR diagnosis of ADHD through prior medical or psychological evaluations at the time of admission to the program,
- ability to complete questionnaires and use an app in English,
- reported IQ of at least 80 in order to ensure that the participant has the cognitive skills needed to use the app, and
- parent/guardian available to consent and provide feedback in English.
Exclusion criteria
- Failure to meet any of the inclusion criteria
Where
- Irvine, California
- Riverside, California
Collaborators
University of California, Irvine, Chapman University
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jan 28, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations