Evaluating a Digital Cognitive Training Intervention in Adults With ADHD

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: ADHD

• Registration Number: NCT07050225
• Lead Sponsor: McMaster University

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a digital cognitive training program can reduce symptoms of ADHD, improve executive functioning, and decrease problematic internet use in adults aged 18-65 with a diagnosis of moderate to severe ADHD. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Can digital cognitive training improve executive function, and ADHD symptoms in adults with ADHD?

Does digital cognitive training reduce problematic internet use in this population?

Researchers will compare the digital cognitive training intervention group to a non-cognitive training digital platform to see if the training leads to greater improvements in cognitive and behavioral outcomes.

Participants will:

Complete an 11-week digital cognitive training program (3, 1-hour sessions/week) or placebo intervention (3, 1-hour sessions/week)

Attend baseline, midpoint, and post-intervention assessments

Participate in weekly check-ins to monitor engagement and tolerability

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-06
• Study First Submitted: 2025-06-06
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-06-24
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-06-24
• Study First Posted: 2025-07-03
• Last Update Posted: 2025-07-03
• Study Start: 2025-08-01
• Primary Completion: 2026-01
• Study Completion: 2026-02-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 52

Inclusion Criteria

• Participants must provide informed consent and agree to comply with study protocols for the duration of the study.
• Participants must be fluent in speaking and reading English and able to complete rating scales and assessments.
• Participants must be adults aged 18-65 years.
• Participants must have a clinical diagnosis of ADHD based on DSM-5 Criteria, as confirmed by the Mini Neuropsychiatric interview.
• Participants being treated with pharmacotherapy must be stable and on a consistent dose for at least 6 weeks prior to study entry.
• Participants must have access to a computer capable of running the cognitive training platform.
• Participants must be comfortable operating a computer and be able to log on to the platform without assistance.

Exclusion Criteria

• Exclude individuals who meet DSM-5 criteria for psychiatric conditions such as borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, severe depression, or other psychotic disorders as well as neurological conditions such as epilepsy, dementia, and amnesia, that may interfere with cognitive training.
• Exclude participants with active substance use disorders.
• Exclude participants receiving behavioral therapy or undergoing similar cognitive training programs for ADHD and/or PIU.
• Exclude individuals with severe visual, auditory, or motor impairments that affect the ability to perform the digital cognitive training intervention.
• Exclude participants who are uncomfortable using applications or required technology.
• Exclude participants who have changed their treatment regimen in the last 6 weeks.
• Exclude participants who are not fluent in English.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The feasibility of digital cognitive training on ADHD symptoms in adults diagnosed with ADHD of moderate-severe severity	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 11 weeks	Feasibility will be evaluated based on the number of people who contact the study team, % of people who contact who are eligible, and % of eligible participants who enroll. % of participants lost to follow-up will be a key determinant of feasibility, as well as number of completers.
Tolerability of digital cognitive training on ADHD symptoms in adults diagnosed with ADHD of moderate-severe severity	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 11 weeks	Tolerability will be evaluated via % of participants who prematurely withdrawal from study protocol.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The effect of digital cognitive training on ADHD symptoms in adults diagnosed with ADHD of moderate-severe severity	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 11 weeks	ADHD symptom severity will be measured via the Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale (BAARS-IV).
The effects of digital cognitive training on problematic internet use in adults diagnosed with ADHD of moderate-severe severity	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 11 weeks	Changes in the severity of problematic internet use will be evaluated via changes in Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) scores.
The effects of digital cognitive training on verbal short-term and working memory in adults diagnosed with ADHD of moderate-severe severity	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 11 weeks	Performance on the Digit Span Test will be evaluated.
The effects of digital cognitive training on visual processing and working memory in adults diagnosed with ADHD of moderate-severe severity	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 11 weeks	Performance on Trails A and B task will be evaluated.
The effects of digital cognitive training on cognitive flexibility in adults diagnosed with ADHD of moderate-severe severity	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 11 weeks	Performance on Berg's Card Sorting Task will be evaluated.
The effects of digital cognitive training on working memory in adults diagnosed with ADHD of moderate-severe severity	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 11 weeks	Performance on N-back Task will be evaluated.