Effects of Transcranial Photobiomodulation in ADHD
Purpose
The investigators have previously shown that non-invasive methods of brain stimulation such as the administration of transcranial infrared light to the prefrontal cortex (PFC) can result in improvements to cognition and emotion as well as brain oxygenation. This method is called transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM). The investigators hypothesize that tPBM can improve cognition and brain oxygenation in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The investigators will investigate the effects of repeated tPBM sessions on cognitive functioning in adults with ADHD. Specifically, the investigators hypothesize that participants that receive tPBM will show improvements in response control, sustained attention, and working memory, as well as improvements in prefrontal hemodynamics and a reduction in ADHD symptoms.
Condition
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Eligibility
- Eligible Ages
- Between 18 Years and 44 Years
- Eligible Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- English-speaking - Adults of any sex - Age range: 18-44 years - Any ethnic/racial background - Medical history of ADHD - Participants may either be on a stable ADHD medication regimen (with no changes within two weeks prior to the study) or not taking medication.
Exclusion Criteria
- Currently pregnancy - Any sham or active photobiomodulation treatment within the past five weeks.
Study Design
- Phase
- N/A
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel Assignment
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- Double (Participant, Investigator)
Arm Groups
| Arm | Description | Assigned Intervention |
|---|---|---|
|
Active Comparator Active transcranial photobiomodulation |
Participants in this arm will receive active transcranial photobiomodulation to the forehead, targeting prefrontal cortex. |
|
|
Sham Comparator Sham transcranial photobiomodulation |
Participants in this arm will undergo this same procedure as the active group, but with no 1064-nm light emitted by the device. |
|
Recruiting Locations
Austin, Texas 78701
More Details
- Status
- Recruiting
- Sponsor
- University of Texas at Austin
Detailed Description
This will be a double-blind, sham-controlled study to evaluate the neurobehavioral and PFC neurometabolic effects of repeated tPBM sessions in adults with ADHD. Adults with a history of medically-diagnosed ADHD will be recruited. Participants will be randomized to two arms: (1) active tPBM or (2) sham tPBM. All participants will complete three in-person sessions and one remote follow-up visit conducted online. Participant will receive three weekly sessions of tPBM targeting the PFC using a 1064 nm laser. Cognitive performance will be assessed using the continuous performance task and 2-back task at baseline and after the final tPBM session. The investigators predict that participants receiving active tPBM will show improvements in sustained attention, impulse control, and working memory. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy recordings, collected at baseline and post-treatment, will be used to evaluate changes in PFC hemodynamic response and network interactions (functional connectivity). The investigators predict that active tPBM will enhance the PFC hemodynamic response and strengthen network interactions across prefrontal subregions. Lastly, ADHD symptomatology will be assessed using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale at baseline, post-treatment, and at a four-week follow-up after tPBM. The investigators predict that participants receiving active tPBM will report progressive reductions in ADHD symptoms across time points.