musculoskeletal pain, depression, and anxiety( 52, 56). Recent WSR applications have explored naturopathy for endometriosis( 57) and diminished ovarian reserve( 58). A Delphi study confirmed naturopathy as a complex intervention, with participants valuing the therapeutic relationship, holistic approach, and individualised support( 58). The therapeutic relationship vital to naturopathic practice is crucial to behaviour change( 59) and may similarly benefit ADHD outcomes. Additionally, studies have identified notable gaps in understanding how naturopaths manage cases, report adverse events, seek evidence, and measure treatment outcomes( 58, 60).
Given the unmet needs of families within conventional ADHD care, Whole Systems Research offers a robust, systemsbased method to evaluate naturopathy’ s role( 61). Naturopathic interventions are associated with improved outcomes and quality of life in chronic conditions( 62, 63), warranting their evaluation in ADHD through the Whole Systems lens.
There is a significant research gap in naturopaths’ roles in managing ADHD in children and adolescents; addressing this could inform clinical guidelines, policy, and education for diverse healthcare stakeholders. Evaluating how Naturopaths manage ADHD may enhance safety, inform practice, and clarify their role within multidisciplinary care( 60). It has the potential to strengthen partnerships between naturopathic practitioners and conventional healthcare providers.
By examining how these elements function together in real-world clinical settings, WSR can provide valuable insight into how naturopathic care facilitates healing, supports selfregulation, and promotes long-term wellness, particularly in chronic and multifactorial conditions like ADHD. Further, it is important to examine whether naturopaths are engaging with and applying the evidence for complementary and alternative medicine
( CAM) approaches in the management of ADHD. What presenting complaints are commonly seen and addressed in clinical practice? What treatment strategies are being implemented? How do naturopaths approach referral pathways, and to whom are these referrals directed? What kinds of testing, both biomedical and functional, are performed in this group and how are they then used in treatment planning? In addition, how are children and adolescents accommodated within naturopathic care, and in what ways are appointments structured to meet their needs?
Researchers at Southern Cross University are currently aiming to answer these questions and have developed a comprehensive survey to address each of these areas. By examining both the current and potential role of naturopaths in supporting individuals with ADHD, a complex condition that often requires multifaceted approaches, the research aims to inform future research, clinical practice guidelines, and public health policy by providing a clearer understanding of the approaches naturopaths use in this context. Given the breadth of evidence available for non-pharmacological interventions in ADHD, naturopaths are uniquely positioned to assimilate this knowledge and translate it into clinical practice. It is timely to highlight and articulate the valuable contribution our profession can make in this field.
Specifically, this study aims to identify the clinical approaches used by Naturopaths in the management of ADHD in children and adolescents by:
• Exploring clinical accommodations: child-friendly spaces and sensory environments
• Understanding naturopathic appointment structures: length, notetaking and follow-up.
• Investigating naturopathic treatment approaches: modality, interventions and shared decision-making.
• Exploring integration across healthcare modalities: referrals and collaborations
• Understanding naturopathic clinical testing practices: functional and biomedical
If you are a Degree Qualified or Advanced Diploma Naturopath residing in Australia, who treats children / adolescents with ADHD, and have been working in clinical practice for at least 1 year, you may be eligible to contribute to this research and help answer these important questions. Follow this link for more information: https:// redcap. link / 60t1bek4
Conclusion
This research has the potential to contribute valuable knowledge regarding the naturopathic management of children and adolescents with ADHD. The findings may inform future research, clinical practice guidelines, and public health policy which may support the development of evidence-informed recommendations and contribute to discussions of appropriate funding and service delivery for ADHD-related care, particularly within integrative and complementary healthcare frameworks. Additionally, the research will examine how practitioners’ source and apply evidence to inform their clinical decisions, including the use of traditional knowledge, clinical experience, patient preferences, and contemporary scientific literature. It will also investigate how communication with patients is conducted to support adherence, understanding, and shared decision-making. The findings will contribute important foundational data to inform the development of future targeted interventions and clinical trials. These future studies may evaluate the effectiveness of specific naturopathic dietary and lifestyle interventions aimed at improving physical and mental health outcomes in children and adolescents with ADHD. Addressing these health needs through integrative approaches represents a recognised and timely research priority.
REFERENCES For a full list of references, please email the Editor: editor @ atms. com. au
226 | vol31 | no4 | AJNM