How sleep, activity, and body rhythms affect ADHD symptoms

Plain-English translation of NCT06810180 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated March 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This study is investigating how three everyday factors—sleep quality, physical activity levels, and your body's natural 24-hour rhythms—may influence how ADHD shows up differently in different people. Researchers will ask children with and without ADHD to wear a special wristband for two weeks that tracks activity and sleep, while answering questions about their symptoms and mood. By understanding these connections, the study hopes to help doctors better assess and treat ADHD in the future.

ADHD looks different in every person—some struggle mainly with attention, others with hyperactivity or impulse control, and some with emotional regulation. Scientists don't yet fully understand why ADHD presents so differently, but sleep, activity patterns, and your body's internal clock may play an important role. This research aims to uncover these connections so treatment can be more personalized and effective.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with ADHD (for the ADHD group) or you do not have ADHD or other mental health conditions (for the comparison group)
you are a child old enough to participate in the study visits and wear a wristband
you do not have other serious brain conditions like autism, intellectual disability, or traumatic brain injury
you are willing to wear a wristband for two weeks and answer daily questions on a smartphone

You likely don't qualify if…

you were born prematurely or exposed to alcohol or drugs before birth
you have autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, severe anxiety, bipolar disorder, or conduct disorder
you are currently taking long-acting psychiatric medications that cannot be safely stopped for 24 hours
you have a history of traumatic brain injury

What participation looks like

You would visit the research center twice: first for a 2-hour appointment where your child does thinking tests and practices an MRI scan, and again for a 4-hour appointment after the monitoring period. Between these visits, your child wears a wristband for two weeks at home that tracks sleep and activity, and you both answer brief daily questions on your phone about sleep, ADHD symptoms, and emotions. The wristband is like a fitness tracker and is worn comfortably on the wrist; there are no injections, medications, or risks involved.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 2, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(2 sites)

United States

Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Baltimore, Maryland

Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland

Key details

Sponsor

Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.

Collaborators

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Enrollment target

~200 participants

Started

June 2025

Primary completion

April 2030

Age range

8 Years – 12 Years

Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in March 2026.

Contact the research team directly

Reach out to the team running this trial. Response times vary — some teams are faster than others.

Central contact

Keri S Rosch, PhD in Clinical Psychology

Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.

Interested in joining?

Tell us you're interested and we'll help connect you with the research team. We'll walk you through what to expect first — no email needed to get started.

View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov