Fidgeting and Attentional and Emotional Regulation in ADHD

Last updated: February 9, 2026
Sponsor: University of California, Davis
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Williams Syndrome

Attention Deficit/hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd - Adults)

Treatment

Fidget ball

Clinical Study ID

NCT04526600
1607722
  • Ages 18-30
  • All Genders

Study Summary

This project will study how fidgeting relates to cognitive and emotional functioning in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It will determine, in a laboratory setting, whether movement and access to a "fidget device" providing sensory and motor stimulation can improve cognitive and emotional regulation (including on physiological measures) in adult ADHD. The investigators will also acquire pilot data for machine learning analyses to be used in future, large scale studies to identify gestures and touch characteristics associated with improved cognitive and emotional regulation to see if the data can predict and subsequently develop recommendations to improve performance and emotional control in natural settings (e.g., home, office, college classroom) for adult ADHD.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • ADHD

  • History of fidgeting

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Currently taking psychoactive medication, with the exception of stimulant medicationfor ADHD or medication that can affect heart rate;

  • Presence of significant depression or psychotic disorders, autism, visual or hearingimpairment or any other disorder that may interfere with task performance; and IQbelow 85

Study Design

Total Participants: 109
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: Fidget ball
Phase:
Study Start date:
March 21, 2022
Estimated Completion Date:
June 01, 2026

Study Description

Fidgeting is a highly common behavior, with excessive fidgeting associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Studies from the investigator's laboratory and colleagues suggest physical movement can enhance cognitive performance in children with ADHD. Hyper-sensorimotor behavior may be related to impaired regulation of arousal in the noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems. This project will assess if frequency and characteristics of sensorimotor behavior relates to cognitive and emotional response in adults with ADHD, in a fine-grained manner, unlike other studies. The investigators will test if intrinsic fidgeting (Aim 1) and access to a specially designed fidget device (Aim 2) modulates behavioral and physiological response in cognitively and emotionally-demanding contexts. The hype of the commercially available fidget devices, its competitors and fidget spinners suggest it might, but there is no systematic evidence to inform consumers, a gap, the investigators aim to fill.

Connect with a study center

  • UC Davis MIND Institute

    Sacramento, California 95817
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • UC Davis MIND Institute

    Sacramento 5389489, California 5332921 95817
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

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