Advances In Treatment: The Latest ADHD Research
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is by no means a new mental health disorder. That being said, there is still so much we can learn about this complex disorder, how it affects adults with ADHD and school-age children, and what kind of treatments, such as ADHD medications and behavioral therapy, can be effective in reducing symptoms.
Every day, research studies, including clinical trials, are conducted to determine the factors influencing ADHD and its link to other conditions. Organizations like the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) offer resources and information on their website to help families, patients, and the general population stay informed. Keeping up with the latest research can help us all learn and grow, whether you are diagnosed with ADHD or not.
What is ADHD?
Prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Statistically, there are also many undiagnosed cases of ADHD due to its difficulty to accurately diagnose, as there is symptom overlap with many other mental health disorders.
ADHD symptoms can manifest in different ways
ADHD can present itself differently on a person-to-person basis. Some individuals with ADHD might experience inattentiveness and lack of focus more than restlessness and other individuals might constantly be fidgety or hyper-fixate on activities. The important thing to keep in mind is that no matter how an individual experiences their ADHD, it is just as valid as other people’s experiences.
Now that you know a little more about ADHD as a whole, let’s learn about the updates in the current understanding of this disorder.
The role of technology in ADHD treatment
Psychologists are looking into the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) as diagnostic tools and potential treatments. Recent studies show that VR and AR technologies could have a significant impact in assessing symptoms of and diagnosing ADHD accurately. There is also ample evidence to suggest VR’s capabilities of augmenting our current treatment options, improving the effectiveness of treatments.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a surge in telemedicine research and two such VR programs were authorized by the FDA as augmentation therapies for treatment.
EndeavorRx for treatment
EndeavorRx was the first FDA-approved ADHD mobile video game program and is approved for children ages 8-12. The technology in EndeavorRx provides stimuli for the player that specifically target the parts of the brain involved in attention. The game is also designed so that the difficulty will change in real-time as a response to the player.
73% of children reported an improvement in their attention after playing the game 5 days a week for 4 weeks. In order to play this game, your child would need a prescription from their doctor and must already be on a treatment plan.
XRHealth for treatment
Like EndeavorRx, XRHealth developed an FDA-approved high-tech VR therapy app for ADHD. In contrast to EndeavorRx, this VR app includes a headset to transport the user to a new world where they can be fully immersed in their surroundings. The app is able to track the user’s eye movements and send them to the observing therapist who can then adjust the difficulty accordingly. Similarly to EndeavorRx, this technology needs to be prescribed by a mental health professional to use.
New research on the household environment
The age-old question of nature vs. nurture collides in this study, researching whether or not growing up in a chaotic home contributes to the risks and symptoms of ADHD. For this study, 2,232 twins were chosen and observed from age 5 to age 12. The researchers also assessed how chaotic their home environment was throughout that time in conjunction with the severity of the children’s symptoms of ADHD. The levels of chaos were calculated by assessing various household traits such as noisiness, whether or not there was a consistent routine, and messiness, among others.
Findings from this study on chaotic households
The study found that the children growing up in a more chaotic home showed stronger signs of ADHD. But the chaotic fashion of their home life is only part of the equation. Due to the nature of this study, the cause and effect goes both ways – symptoms were stronger in chaotic households and, inversely, chaotic households had higher rates of ADHD. This study concluded that both sides were likely causation, showing clear evidence that ADHD is, in fact, genetic. The study refers to this as gene-environment correlation.
How ADHD symptoms can impact sleep
You may or may not be surprised to learn that it affects people’s ability to get a restful night's sleep, as well! The following two studies explain why that might be and how we might be able to combat it.
Specific learning disorders (SLD), ADHD, and sleep disturbances
The resulting evidence concluded that many of the children experienced sleep disturbances; however, the children with the comorbid diagnosis of ADHD and SLD experienced a significantly higher number of sleep disturbances. Not only does this evidence point to a clear correlation between these neurodevelopmental disorders and sleep disturbances but also suggests that there is a common underlying factor affecting sleep and neurodevelopment.
The latest ADHD research on improving sleep and overall health
We’ve talked about the relationship between sleep problems and ADHD, so now let’s get into how we can improve sleep. Melatonin has been frequently used for children with sleep challenges; however, there can be side effects, including dizziness, stomach cramps, anxiety, and more. In response, a qualitative study was done to assess whether or not a weighted blanket could have positive effects on the sleep and well-being of children with ADHD. Parents and children alike reported positive feedback on the usage of weighted blankets, including one parent who said, “Lately, I think she has become more alert, I mean happy, she is generally happy, but you noticed before when she had slept or been tired that she became more irritable and things like that. But I find it’s positive. She is always happy and less tired.”
The researchers conducting this study concluded that not only did sleeping with the weighted blanket improve sleep, but also the overall quality of life of the participants.
Gender disparities in diagnosis
New research is needed on ADHD in transgender individuals
Few studies examine the statistics on transgender or intersex individuals, as the brain of a transgender man is closer in chemistry to a cisgender man and the same is said for transgender women and cisgender women, so researchers can only speak for cisgender individuals at this time.
Online therapy for ADHD and other mental health conditions
ADHD and other mental health disorders can be hard to manage and a support system can help. If you or a loved one are in need of help with your mental health, reaching out to a licensed therapist is a great way to get started. BetterHelp is an online therapy service that provides remote counseling to help you or a loved one take control of your happiness today.
The effectiveness of online therapy for ADHD
A 2022 study pointed out that in-person treatments for ADHD can take a long time, and many families are left managing symptoms alone while their names sit on a waiting list. The same study suggested online therapy as a solution. The results were better for both adults and children with ADHD when they sought out online therapy options.
Online therapy is generally more affordable and it has also been proven to reduce psychological distress among students. For individuals with ADHD, online therapy’s more flexible structuring can be helpful in allowing them to receive the treatment they need on a regular basis.
Managing the symptoms can be complex, but online therapy can help bring order to your treatment and life.
Takeaway
What does the latest ADHD research tell us?
Research has found new ways to incorporate modern technology to diagnose and treat ADHD. Specific FDA-approved virtual reality programs are successfully being used to augment traditional treatment.
Researchers continue to explore how ADHD may be caused by genetic predisposition, environmental factors, or an interaction between the two.
Recently, prominent researchers suggested changing the name of VAST, which stands for Variable Attention Stimulus Trait.
In new research, scientists have “successfully identified differences in gene activity” in the brains of individuals diagnosed with ADHD. In these newer studies, researchers found differences at the genetic level, whereas previous studies using brain scans were limited to brain structure and brain area activation.
A recent study highly suggested that physical exercise is an effective nonpharmacological treatment option and improves cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, and inattention in children and adolescents. The authors of the study urge further investigation.
What is a new treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder?
Computerized Progressive Attention Training (CAPT) is a new treatment method. One study found that it improved symptoms in 33% of individuals and that the effects of treatment were still present four months after the treatment.
What are the most recent advances in the treatment of ADHD?
A combination of stimulant medications and behavioral therapy can effectively help individuals manage symptoms. Recently, two virtual reality programs have been approved by the FDA. These programs are called EndeavorRx and XRHealth. Getting these programs requires a prescription from a mental health provider.
Are we close to a cure for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder?
ADHD is a neurological difference and does not have a cure. However, there are many evidence-based treatments that can help individuals manage symptoms.
What are they changing ADHD to?
Previously, ADD, or attention deficit disorder, was considered a separate diagnosis from ADHD. However, with further research and advances, experts combined these into a single diagnosis and removed ADD from the DSM IV. They argue that it is not an actual “deficit” or “disease” and is more of a brain characteristic or type. The name VAST, or Variable Attention Stimulus Trait, has recently been proposed to replace the term.
Why is ADHD currently trending?
ADHD has increased in prevalence. This may be due to improved health care, increased awareness about the disorder, and reduced stigma surrounding psychiatric disorders.
What is the best medication for motivation?
The most widely used stimulant medication, methylphenidate, has been found to improve motivation in people with ADHD.
Can ADHD symptoms get worse with age?
According to CHADD, “ADHD is not like an infection or tumor that gets worse or gets better.” It is a form of neurodivergence, like autism spectrum disorder or dyslexia. However, it can sometimes seem as though ADHD symptoms are getting worse. This can happen because society places higher expectations on young adults than on children. Since people with this attention deficit sometimes require support for tasks that their same-age peers can do independently, symptoms can seem more apparent as children age. Many people with ADHD struggle with cognitive flexibility, including the ability to switch from one task to another. Older children may struggle with daily routines like eating breakfast, getting dressed, brushing their teeth, getting their belongings together, and getting out the door for school long after their agemates have mastered these routines. Since older children are expected to master these skills, it can seem as though ADHD symptoms have worsened when children still need prompting at an older age.
Does caffeine help or worsen symptoms?
Some people feel that caffeine helps with alertness and motivation, and some research shows that caffeine affects dopamine levels in the brain. However, caffeine makes others with ADHD experience feelings of sleepiness and can cause a number of side effects. More research is needed to determine the potential of caffeine in helping people manage their symptoms.
What are people with ADHD good at?
People with ADHD often have the ability to hyperfocus on the things that interest them. This focus can be an advantage in the right circumstances. They are often creative problem solvers, observant and detail-oriented, and eager to try new things.
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