STUDY

Working Memory Training in College/University Students with ADHD

Purpose of the study

Individuals with ADHD often have problems with working memory, a key cognitive function that allows individuals to hold and manipulate information in one’s mind for a few seconds. Working memory problems make it difficult to control attention, resist distraction, and focus on the task at hand. We want to find out whether it is possible to improve working memory performance through training, and if so, how changes in working memory alter the way our brains process information.

Who can participate in this study? We are looking for College and University students, ages 18-35 who have been diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and are registered with disability/accessibility services at their institution.

What does this study involve? This study involves undergoing working memory training. The program will be done at home on your computer for 15-45 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 5 weeks long. Participants will visit our lab at the University of Toronto before, directly after, and two months after completing the working memory training.

Why should I participate? Research has shown that training can improve children’s working memory, Thus, participants may directly benefit from participating in the study in terms of improvement in their working memory abilities and a possible decrease in their ADHD symptoms. Also, participants will receive monetary compensation for their time when they complete an assessment; $80 before and after the training and $100 at the two-month follow-up.

How can I get more information about this study? Please visit our website for more information about this study:
http://www.wix.com/tannocklab/engage-study#!the-study  

To participate in this study please call (416) 978-1003 or email tannocklab@gmail.com


STUDY (SURVEY)

The Relationship Between Family Cohesiveness and Divorce in Families with ADHD Children - Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland
This survey targets parents or caregivers with children between the ages of 3 and 18 that are still living at home. We are focusing on children diagnosed with ADHD, however, if respondents know of parents with children without ADHD that would be willing to take the survey this would also help our comparison sample.

Purpose of this Research
We have produced this survey to assist in determining the relationship between family cohesiveness and divorce in families with children diagnosed with ADHD. This
study will consist of an online survey that can be accessed through an e-mail and only takes about 15 minutes to complete. If you decide to help us by completing this survey it will greatly help our results and widen our sample. By having a broader range of participants we will be able to obtain more accurate and applicable data.

What do I have to do for this study?
Simply complete an online survey that only takes about 15 minutes to complete, accessable via this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/B3KZDVJ This survey will be open until the end of March.

How can I get more information about the study?
If you have any questions regarding this study (survey), please feel free to contact us:
Email: Sarah Pargan - SKPargan@email.msmary.edu
Email: Dr. Mindy Korol - korol@msmary.edu
Tel: 1-443-417-5543


STUDY

Peer, family and romantic relationships with ADHD
For adolescents ages 13-18 years old with and without Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Purpose of this Research
We will be asking adolescents about their experiences of peer victimization and they will be asked to rate the quality of their relationship with their parents as well as their friends and romantic partners. We are also interested in knowing more about the levels of parenting stress that parents of adolescents experience, their feelings about their role as parents, and their involvement in their adolescents’ education. Understanding the nature of the peer and family relationship problems of adolescents with ADHD will inform intervention programs that might improve their relationships including school-based prevention programs such as peer-coaching and parent education programs focused on the adolescent period.

What do I have to do for this study?
Adolescents will be taking part in a testing session lasting approximately 4 hours, where they will be asked to answer questions about family, peer and romantic relationships, as well as to complete some academic and problem-solving activities. A lunch break and several short breaks will be offered as needed.

Parents/guardians (both, if applicable) are asked to complete a series of online questionnaires regarding their child’s peer relationships, parenting stress, parenting practices, and their involvement in their child’s education. The online questionnaires will take approximately 1.5 hours to complete and can be filled out at any time that is convenient for you. An online questionnaire will also be sent to the adolescent’s teacher to fill out which will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

When and where does the research take place?
Testing with the adolescent will take place at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), which is located at 252 Bloor Street West (above St. George subway station). Testing typically takes place on weekends, however, we can make arrangements to test during the week if that is preferred.

What’s in it for me?
In addition to helping the scientific community to better understand peer and family relationships in youth with and without ADHD, it is our hope that the findings of this research will aid in our understanding of how to best support youth in the home, school, and mental health settings.
 
Upon completion of the study, adolescents can choose between receiving $30 or community service hours. Parents/guardians and the participants themselves will receive a written report that documents the youth’s performance on the educational and behavioural rating scale measures and has recommendations for strategies to address their needs. They may then decide to share this report with their secondary school or accessibility services department of their postsecondary institution.  We will disseminate the research findings on our website and both parents and youth will be invited to attend future workshops hosted by our lab.

I’m interested – how can I sign up?
If you would like to learn more about study, please email adhdldresearch.oise@utoronto.ca. You can also phone us at 416-978-0933, and visit us on the web at adhdld.com.


STUDY

ADHD - Attention and Communication Research Project; University of Waterloo, Ontario

Purpose of the Study:
The purpose of this research is to examine the communication skills of children with and without ADHD. Past research has shown that children with ADHD have difficulties in language and social interaction. In order to communicate effectively, a person must try to understand the perspective of the person with whom they are conversing. This study has been designed to explore the behavioural and communicative characteristics of children with and without ADHD when communicating with another person. Comparing the communicative skills of children without ADHD to those with ADHD, will help us better understand the daily communicative struggles and challenges faced by children with ADHD.

This study has been reviewed by and received ethics clearance through the Office of Research Ethics at the University of Waterloo.

Who can join this study?

** Our study is conducted in our research lab here at the University of Waterloo and as such, participation would be open to families living in or around the Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge area.**

We are currently seeking children between the ages of 9-12 years old with ADHD (been diagnosed by a mental health or medical professional) and without ADHD.

What will happen when we join the study?
The study would involve a 1 session visit (approximately 1 hour) to the University of Waterloo (directions and parking will be provided). Appointments are scheduled at the family’s convenience. Children are asked to play a series of fun and engaging games designed to assess their communication and language skills. Parents will be asked to fill out two questionnaires about their children’s behaviour and communication skills, as well as a brief demographic questionnaire. Parents will also be able to observe their child throughout the study session through a one-way mirror. 

In appreciation of their participation, children will receive a certificate, a small toy, and $5. Parents will have the option of receiving a result letter by mail once the data has been collected and analyzed

How can I get more information about the study?
If you have any questions regarding this study, please feel free to call or email the Cognitive Development Lab at:
Phone: (519) 888-4567 ext. 38542
Email: childresearch@uwaterloo.ca
You can also browse our website at http://cognitivedevelopmentlab.uwaterloo.ca for more information on our research.


STUDY

Strengths in ADHD Research Project - University of Calgary, Alberta

Purpose of the Research
Much is known about the areas in which children with ADHD struggle.  However, limited research has focused on areas in which these children are successful.  The Strengths in ADHD research project is a new study based out of the Educational Studies in Psychology area of University of Calgary’s Faculty of Education.  The goal of our study is to identify a number of areas in which children with ADHD thrive and the things that support them in reaching success.  This knowledge can help us in understanding the factors that can promote success and well-being and how we can better support and empower children with ADHD. 

Who can join this study?

** Please note that you must live in or around the Calgary area in order to participate in this research at this time.**

We are currently looking for families who are interested in participating in our research.  Our research is focused on children aged 8-11 years of age who have been diagnosed with ADHD by a psychologist or family doctor, as well as children who do not have any attentional concerns. 

What will happen when we join the study?
Participation in the Strengths in ADHD study involves two visits (approximately 2-3 hours each) to the University of Calgary (evenings or weekends!).  Parents and children are asked to complete a number of tasks and questionnaires designed to gain a greater understanding of children and their strengths and resources.  In recognition of participation, families will receive a family-friendly gift certificate and children may choose a special toy.

I'm interested. How can I sign up?
More information on our study can be found on our website: www.ucalgary.ca/adhdkids or by calling us at (403) 210-6726.  We look forward to hearing from you!


STUDY

THE HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN
You can help us learn why Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder runs in families

Why is Sick Kids conducting this study?
Researchers have learned that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) runs in families. If one person in a family has ADHD then there is a chance that other people in the family will have ADHD too. Researchers at Sick Kids think that ADHD is caused by changes in genes. Genes are the part of us that tell our bodies how to grow and function. Researchers at Sick Kids are looking for the genes that cause ADHD. If we can find the genes that make people develop ADHD we may be able to eventually treat ADHD more effectively.

Who can join this study?
Your family can join this study if, if you have at least 2 children who - are hyperactive - are fidgety or restless - can't pay attention or concentrate - act without thinking and if your children are between the ages of 6 and 16 years.

Why should my family join this study?
Your doctor thinks that 2 or more of your children may have ADHD and that you can help us learn more about ADHD. If your family joins this study we will give your children tests of their learning thinking and feelings. We will tell you the results of your children's tests on the same day as the tests are given. We will also give you a written report about your children's tests within 6 weeks. You can give a copy of this report to your children's teachers. You can also give a copy of the report to your children's doctor.

What will happen when we join the study?
These are the things that will happen when you and your children join the study, You and your children will be asked to come to Sick Kids for one full day, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. You will meet with the researchers to talk about your children's attention and behaviour. This will happen on the day you come to Sick Kids.

Your children will be given tests so that the researchers can understand your children's thinking, learning, and feelings. This will happen on the day you come to Sick Kids. The researchers will take a small blood sample from you and your children so we can look for genes that cause ADHD. The blood is taken through a needle on the day you come to Sick Kids. The researchers will phone your children's teachers to talk to them about how your child is doing in school.

Will my privacy be protected?
Yes. All information that you give during the study will remain strictly private.

Will the study help cover my travel costs?
Yes. Each family helping us with the study will receive $20 to help cover the cost of getting to Sick Kids

How can I get more information about the study?
You can call or send an E-mail message to the ADHD coordinator to get more information about the study. The phone number is 416-813-8291. Please leave a message with your name and number. You will be called back within 2 days.

Our E-mail address is adhd.genetics@sickkids.ca

This study has been approved by the Research Ethics Board of The Hospital for Sick Children and is funded by the Medical Research Council of Canada.


STUDY

A computer based intervention designed to quickly improve early writing skills for children with ADHD

Primary Investigator:
Dr. Joan Peskin
Jayme Herman M.A Candidate

Purpose of the research
Researchers at the University of Toronto are conducting research on fostering early writing skills in young children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
The proposed intervention is expected to provide children with a strong foundation in attending to the background knowledge of their readers while writing. Being aware of whom one is writing for and what one’s reader may or may not know is a critical aspect in the development of writing and editing skills.

In recent studies with typically developing and non typically-developing children, those who received the short intervention were significantly more descriptive in their compositions, compared to children who did not receive the intervention.  Improvements were maintained well after the intervention, and generalized to very different school-based tasks.

This study has been approved by the Research Ethics Board of the University of Toronto.

Who can participate?
Children who are 7, 8 or 9 years of age with a diagnosis of ADHD.

What will your child be asked to do?
Children will be asked to participate individually in two sessions (approximately 50 minutes each) and a short follow-up session (approximately 30 minutes) that will occur about 6 weeks following the initial two sessions.  All sessions will be conducted in a small, quiet space in a testing room at the University of Toronto or in the child’s home.

For further information please contact
Jayme Herman
OISE/University of Toronto
(416) 574-7772
jayme.herman@utoronto.ca


STUDY

Participate in our research
We are currently looking for participants to take part in a study examining the peer and family relationships of adolescents both with and without ADHD. We are also interested in knowing more about the levels of parenting stress that parents of adolescents experience, their feelings about their role as parents, and their involvement in their adolescents’ education. Understanding the nature of the peer and family relationship problems of adolescents with ADHD will inform intervention programs that might improve their relationships including school-based prevention programs such as peer-coaching and parent education programs focused on the adolescent period.

Who can participate?
We are looking for 13-18 year olds with and without ADHD and their parents.

What do I have to do?
Adolescents will be taking part in a testing session that will take approximately 4 hours plus short breaks as needed and a lunch break. During the session, the adolescent will answer questions about their friendships, romantic relationships (if applicable), and their relationship with their parents. In addition, adolescents will do some academic and problem-solving activities.
Parents/guardians (both, if applicable) are asked to complete a series of online questionnaires which ask
various questions about their child’s peer relationships as well as their parenting stress, parenting practices and their involvement in their child’s education. The online questionnaires will take approximately 1.5 hours to complete and can be filled out at any time that is convenient for you. We will also send an online questionnaire to the adolescent’s teacher to fill out which will take approximately 15
minutes to complete.

When and where does the research take place?
Testing with the adolescent will take place at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), which is located at 252 Bloor Street West (above St. George subway station). Testing typically takes place on weekends, however, we can make arrangements to test during the week if that is preferred.

What’s in it for me?
In addition to helping the scientific community to better understand peer and family relationships in youth with and without ADHD, it is our hope that the findings of this research will aid in our understanding of how to best support youth in the home, school, and mental health settings.
There are also are several direct benefits that participants receive from the study: Teens may choose between receiving $30 for their participation or the time spent taking part in the study can be counted towards a Community Service Certificate.
Parents/guardians and the participants themselves will receive a written report that documents the youth’s performance on the educational and behavioural rating scale measures and has recommendations for strategies to address their needs. They may then decide to share this report with their secondary school or accessibility services department of their postsecondary institution. We will disseminate the research findings on our website and both parents and youth will be invited to attend future workshops hosted by our lab.

I’m interested – how can I sign up?
If you would like to learn more about study, please email  adhdldresearch.oise@utoronto.ca. You can also phone us at 416-978-0933.

STUDY
Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Case report series outline

Objective
The project’s aim is to work with male and female elementary school aged children (5-14yo) to treat Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) using a standard of care based on Naturopathic modalities of clinical nutrition and botanical medicine.  The study is designed as a case report series that will look at individual treatment of 30-40 children.  This project is not about identifying a specific effective intervention, but rather to determine if any pattern in treating with multiple modalities results in improved outcomes for ADHD.  It will also solicit feedback from participants concerning compliance with multiple modalities.

Methods
The goal is to recruit 40 male and female children between the ages of 5-14 to participate in the study.  The study will run from January 2013 to April 2013 with plans to see each patient for 5 visits over a 10 week period.  Reduced cost for naturopathic treatment will be offered to the participant’s families ($25/visit).

Laboratory testing is strongly recommended to identify nutrient and health status. These tests would include: CBC, Ferritin, and serum Zinc. Organic Acid Test and Urine Toxic Metal Provocative challenge test are recommended.  

Treatments will be based on the current evidence based medicine and standards of care within the naturopathic community.  Currently non-pharmaceutical treatment standards focus on the use of Omega 3 and 6 oils, multi-vitamins, higher doses of B vitamins, Zinc and/or Iron supplementation.  Families will be educated about increasing fruit and vegetable intake, and minimizing processed carbohydrates and processed foods.  Later in the program, a hypoallergenic diet will be implemented.  Botanical medicines will be prescribed and may include: Bacopa, Panex Ginseng, Rosemary, Lemon Balm, Skullcap, and Passionflower. 

Assessment
The families will be asked to fill out the SNAP-IV – Teacher and Parent Rating Scale finished before treatments begin.  At the end of the 10 week treatment period these forms will be re-administered to assess the child’s response to treatments. 

How can I get more information about the study?
If you have any questions regarding this study, please feel free to contact us:

Contact: Joseph Steyr                      
jsteyr@ndnet.ccnm.edu                  
416-788-1563
136B Cartwright Ave. Toronto, M6A 1V2
(1 block south of 401 at Dufferin Ave. West of Dufferin Ave, East of Caledonia Rd.)

Touchstone Naturopathic Clinic     
www.touchstonecenter.com
905-822-2046



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* Rucklidge JJ, Johnstone J, Kaplan BJ. Nutrient supplementation approaches in the treatment of ADHD. Expert Rev Neurother. 2009;9(4):461-476.
* Konofal E, Lecendreux M, Arnulf I, Mouren MC. Iron deficiency in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2004;158:1113-1115.
* Lahat E, Heyman E, Livne A, Goldman M, Berkovitch M, and Zachor D. Iron Deficiency in Children with Attention Deficit. Israel Medical Association Journal 2011;13:530-533
* Hyperactivity Disorder
* Mahmoud MM, El-Mazary AM, Maher RM, Saber MM. Zinc, Ferritin, Magnesium and Copper in a group of Egyptian Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Italian Journal of Pediatrics 2011;37:60
* Tan LN, Wei HY, Zhang YD, Lu AL, Li Y.  Relationship between serum ferritin levels and susceptibility to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children: a Meta analysis.  Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi 2011;13(9):722-4.
* Millichap JG and Yee MM.  The Diet Factor in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.  Pediatrics 2012;129(2):330-337.
* Konofal E, Cortese S, Lecendreux M, Arnulf I, Mouren MC. Effectiveness of iron supplementation in a young child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Pediatrics. 2005;116: e732–e734.
* Sever Y, Ashkenazi A, Tyano S, Weizman A. Iron treatment in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. A preliminary report. Neuropsychobiol. 1997;35:178–180.