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. 2025 Jan 9;4(1):1.
doi: 10.1038/s44184-024-00111-9.

Decreased impulsiveness and MEG normalization after AI-digital therapy in ADHD children: a RCT

Danylyna Shpakivska Bilan #  1   2 , Irene Alice Chicchi Giglioli #  3 , Pablo Cuesta #  2   4 , Elena Cañadas  5 , Ignacio de Ramón #  5 , Fernando Maestú  1   2 , Jose Alda  6   7 , Josep Antoni Ramos-Quiroga  8   9   10   11 , Jorge A Herrera  12 , Alfonso Amado  13 , Javier Quintero  14
Affiliations

Decreased impulsiveness and MEG normalization after AI-digital therapy in ADHD children: a RCT

Danylyna Shpakivska Bilan et al. Npj Ment Health Res. .

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) presents with symptoms like impulsiveness, inattention, and hyperactivity, often affecting children's academic and social functioning. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as digital cognitive therapy, are emerging as complementary treatments for ADHD. The randomized controlled trial explored the impact of an AI-driven digital cognitive program on impulsiveness, inattentiveness, and neurophysiological markers in 41 children aged 8-12 with ADHD. Participants received either 12 weeks of AI-driven therapy or a placebo intervention. Assessments were conducted pre- and post-intervention and magnetoencephalography (MEG) analyzed brain activity. Results showed significant reductions in impulsiveness and inattentiveness scores in the treatment group, associated with normalized MEG spectral profiles, indicating neuromaturation. Notably, improvements in inhibitory control correlated with spectral profile normalization in the parieto-temporal cortex. Improvements in inhibitory control, linked to normalized spectral profiles, suggest AI-driven digital cognitive therapy can reduce impulsiveness in ADHD children by enhancing neurophysiological efficiency. This emphasizes personalized, technology-driven ADHD treatment, using neurophysiological markers for assessing efficacy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials flow diagram.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Individual and average scores for commission errors in Conners continuous performance test per condition (treatment vs. control) and stage (pre vs. post).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Bar plots of standardized measures with a statistically significant condition–moment interaction effect.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4. Correlation clusters between power ratio and main outcome CPT-3 test.
Measurement of impulsivity based on Commissions (A) in the CPT-3 test. The figure illustrates a positive correlation cluster of power ratio with the CPT ratios in the experimental subgroup, with the control group represented. B Measuring impulsivity based on Perseverations (A) in CPT-3 test. Positive correlation cluster of the power ratio with the CPT ratios in the experimental subgroup, with the control group represented. Measuring inattentiveness based on Omissions (C) and Variance (D) in CPT-3 test. Positive correlation clusters of power ratio with CPT ratios in the whole sample.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5. Correlation clusters between power ratio and clinical outcome EDAH—Hyperactivity (EDAH-H).
A.1 Blue: positive correlation cluster of power ratio within alpha band in treatment group. Red: positive correlation cluster of power ratio with EDAH—Hyperactivity (EDAH-H) in beta band in treatment group. Pink: overlapping areas between alpha and beta frequency clusters. A.2 Positive correlation cluster of power ratio with the EDAH-H ratios in the experimental subgroup, with the control group represented.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Odds ratio Forest plots for CPT-3 and EDAH outcomes based on Fisher’s test.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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