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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)MT-ADHDNCT07029425

Effectiveness of Manual Therapy in the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

A study testing Procedure: craniosacral therapy techniques. in people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), run by JJ JIMENEZ-REJANO at 1 site in Spain.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The main objective is to determine whether Manual Therapy (MT), in addition to conventional treatment, is more effective in improving ADHD symptoms than the application of conventional treatment alone. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 6 to 12 years
What is being tested?
Procedure: craniosacral therapy techniques.
Type of treatment
Surgery or procedure
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
60 participants
Where
1 siteSpain
Study dates
1 Oct 2025to 30 Jun 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 6 to 12 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • Confirmed ADHD diagnosis according to DSM-5 criteria.
  • Children and adolescents aged 6 to 12 years.
  • Availability to attend all Manual Therapy (MT) sessions.
  • Informed consent signed by legal guardians.

Who cannot join

  • Severe concomitant psychiatric or neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy, severe autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia).
  • Medical conditions that contraindicate MT (e.g., fractures, severe scoliosis, connective tissue diseases).
  • Recent use of or changes in ADHD medication within the past 4 weeks.
  • Simultaneous participation in other interventional studies.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Paloma Felipe-Ballesteros, PT contact

+34 672783021

paloma.felipe@edu.uah.es

Paloma Felipe-Ballesteros, PT contact

+34672783021

paloma.felipe@edu.uah.es

Spain1 site
  • Grupo de Investigación Área de Fisioterapia CTS 305 - Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain 41009

    Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, 28804

    Paloma Felipe-Ballesteros, PT, +34672783021, paloma.felipe@edu.auh.es

    Paloma Felipe-Ballesteros, PT

Other trials in Spain

About this study

The main objective is to determine whether Manual Therapy (MT), in addition to conventional treatment, is more effective in improving ADHD symptoms than the application of conventional treatment alone.

Read the detailed description

Background ADHD is a disorder that affects attention, behavior control, and emotions in children. Although medication and behavioral therapy can help, not all children respond well or may experience side effects, which leads to the search for alternative options. This disorder affects the daily lives of both the child and their family, and in adulthood, it can cause emotional, social, and work-related problems. Treatment usually includes medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy, parent training, and techniques such as mindfulness. A newer option is manual therapy (MT), which uses massage and craniosacral therapy to support the nervous system and improve emotional and behavioral regulation. Although some studies have shown promising results, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.

Materials and Methods: A randomized clinical trial will be conducted. The minimum sample size required for statistical significance is 60 subjects, divided into two groups with 30 participants each. The primary variable will be hyperactivity and attention deficit, assessed using the Conners Parent Rating Scale and the Conners Teacher Rating Scale. The secondary variable will be mood, measured using a facial expression scale.

Objetives To determine whether the addition of manual therapy to conventional treatment is more effective in improving ADHD symptoms than conventional treatment alone.

Being tested
Procedure: craniosacral therapy techniques., Placebo Group
Keywords
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, manual therapy, pediatrics
Medical subject headings
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Procedure: craniosacral therapy techniques.Procedure or surgery

    Participants in the experimental group will receive Manual Therapy (MT) designed for this study, which will include craniosacral therapy techniques. The sessions will last 40 minutes and will be conducted twice a week for the first 4 weeks, followed by once a week for the final 4 weeks.

  • Placebo GroupProcedure or surgery

    The placebo group will receive a dummy treatment with a duration of 40min, twice a week for the firt 4 week, follwed by once a week for the final 4 week.

Study groups in NCT07029425
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Experimental: craniosacral therapy techniques.ExperimentalExperimental: Participants in the experimental group will receive Manual Therapy (MT) designed for this study, which will include craniosacral therapy techniques. The sessions will last 40 minutes and will be conducted twice a week for the first 4 weeks, followed by once a week for the final 4 weeks.
Receives: Procedure: Procedure: craniosacral therapy techniques.
Control: placebo comparator.Placebo comparatorSham Comparator: The placebo group will receive a dummy treatment with a duration of 40min, twice a week for the firt 4 week, follwed by once a week for the final 4 week.
Receives: Procedure: Placebo Group

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Symptoms of ADHD (Parents Rating Scale)

    Conners Parents Rating Scale. 48 items 0 = Never, 1 = Sometimes, 2 = Often, and 3 = Very Often. Scores 0-144. Scores greater than or equal to 59 = normal range, Scores 60-64 = mildly elevated symptom severity, Scores 65-69 = moderately elevated severity Scores > 70 = presence of highly elevated severity.

    Measured: At the star of the study (at basilne, 0 week), After the 2nd session (at the end of the first week), after 12th session (at the end of the eight week) and 4 months from the last session (24th week).

  2. Symptoms of ADHD (Teacher Rating Scale)

    Conners Teacher Rating Scale. 28 items. 0 = Never, 1 = Sometimes, 2 = Often, and 3 = Very Often. Scores 0-84. Scores greater than or equal to 59 = normal range, Scores 60-64 = mildly elevated symptom severity, Scores 65-69 = moderately elevated severity Scores > 70 = presence of highly elevated severity.

    Measured: At the star of the study (at basilne, 0 week), After the 2nd session (at the end of the first week), after 12th session (at the end of the eight week) and 4 months from the last session (24th week).

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Mood

    Facial Expression Scale. It represents expressions from sadness (scored with 1) to happiness (scored with 4).

    Measured: At the star of the study (at basilne, 0 week), After the 2nd session (at the end of the first week), after 12th session (at the end of the eight week) and 4 months from the last session (24th week).

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted19 Jun 2025
  2. Study start1 Oct 2025 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion1 May 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Jun 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
60 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07029425
Sponsor's protocol ID
USeville-PFB
Acronym
MT-ADHD
Status last verified
Jun 2025
First submitted
11 Jun 2025
Last updated
27 Jun 2025
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • Chan SKC, Zhang D, Bogels SM, Chan CS, Lai KYC, Lo HHM, Yip BHK, Lau ENS, Gao TT, Wong SYS. Effects of a mindfulness-based intervention (MYmind) for children with ADHD and their parents: protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2018 Nov 12;8(11):e022514. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022514.

    PubMed 30420347
  • Accorsi A, Lucci C, Di Mattia L, Granchelli C, Barlafante G, Fini F, Pizzolorusso G, Cerritelli F, Pincherle M. Effect of osteopathic manipulative therapy in the attentive performance of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2014 May;114(5):374-81. doi: 10.7556/jaoa.2014.074.

    PubMed 24778002
  • Danckaerts M, Sonuga-Barke EJ, Banaschewski T, Buitelaar J, Dopfner M, Hollis C, Santosh P, Rothenberger A, Sergeant J, Steinhausen HC, Taylor E, Zuddas A, Coghill D. The quality of life of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2010 Feb;19(2):83-105. doi: 10.1007/s00787-009-0046-3. Epub 2009 Jul 26.

    PubMed 19633992
  • Crouzet L, Gramond A, Suehs C, Fabbro-Peray P, Abbar M, Lopez-Castroman J. Third-generation cognitive behavioral therapy versus treatment-as-usual for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2022 Jan 28;23(1):83. doi: 10.1186/s13063-021-05983-2.

    PubMed 35090544
  • Bellato A, Arora I, Hollis C, Groom MJ. Is autonomic nervous system function atypical in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? A systematic review of the evidence. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2020 Jan;108:182-206. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.11.001. Epub 2019 Nov 10.

    PubMed 31722229
  • Polanczyk G, de Lima MS, Horta BL, Biederman J, Rohde LA. The worldwide prevalence of ADHD: a systematic review and metaregression analysis. Am J Psychiatry. 2007 Jun;164(6):942-8. doi: 10.1176/ajp.2007.164.6.942.

    PubMed 17541055
  • Robertz AC, Tornhage CJ, Nilsson S, Nyman V, Kantzer AK. Positive effects of tactile massage for adolescents with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - A small scale study. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2024 Nov;57:101909. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2024.101909. Epub 2024 Sep 25.

    PubMed 39332064
  • Musser ED, Backs RW, Schmitt CF, Ablow JC, Measelle JR, Nigg JT. Emotion regulation via the autonomic nervous system in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2011 Aug;39(6):841-52. doi: 10.1007/s10802-011-9499-1.

    PubMed 21394506
  • Duric NS, Assmus J, Gundersen D, Duric Golos A, Elgen IB. Multimodal treatment in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a 6-month follow-up. Nord J Psychiatry. 2017 Jul;71(5):386-394. doi: 10.1080/08039488.2017.1305446. Epub 2017 Mar 27.

    PubMed 28345387
  • Steinau S. Diagnostic Criteria in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Changes in DSM 5. Front Psychiatry. 2013 May 30;4:49. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2013.00049. eCollection 2013. No abstract available.

    PubMed 23755024
  • Pumprla J, Howorka K, Groves D, Chester M, Nolan J. Functional assessment of heart rate variability: physiological basis and practical applications. Int J Cardiol. 2002 Jul;84(1):1-14. doi: 10.1016/s0167-5273(02)00057-8.

    PubMed 12104056
  • Rechberger V, Biberschick M, Porthun J. Effectiveness of an osteopathic treatment on the autonomic nervous system: a systematic review of the literature. Eur J Med Res. 2019 Oct 25;24(1):36. doi: 10.1186/s40001-019-0394-5.

    PubMed 31653268
  • Mizuno Y, Cai W, Supekar K, Makita K, Takiguchi S, Tomoda A, Menon V. Methylphenidate remediates aberrant brain network dynamics in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Neuroimage. 2022 Aug 15;257:119332. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119332. Epub 2022 May 28.

    PubMed 35640787
  • Haugan AJ, Sund AM, Young S, Thomsen PH, Lydersen S, Novik TS. Cognitive behavioural group therapy as addition to psychoeducation and pharmacological treatment for adolescents with ADHD symptoms and related impairments: a randomised controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry. 2022 Jun 2;22(1):375. doi: 10.1186/s12888-022-04019-6.

    PubMed 35655149
  • Cai W, Mizuno Y, Tomoda A, Menon V. Bayesian dynamical system analysis of the effects of methylphenidate in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a randomized trial. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2023 Oct;48(11):1690-1698. doi: 10.1038/s41386-023-01668-3. Epub 2023 Jul 25.

    PubMed 37491674

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Procedure: craniosacral therapy techniques. in people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), run by JJ JIMENEZ-REJANO at 1 site in Spain.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 27 Jun 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Spain. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Paloma Felipe-Ballesteros, PT (+34 672783021, paloma.felipe@edu.uah.es), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Symptoms of ADHD (Parents Rating Scale) (time frame: At the star of the study (at basilne, 0 week), After the 2nd session (at the end of the first week), after 12th session (at the end of the eight week) and 4 months from the last session (24th week).). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07029425, which also lists 20 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 27 Jun 2025.

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