RECENT RESEARCH
The aim was to map the scientific literature regarding complementary therapies used by health professionals for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This scoping review was based on the recommendations proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Five data sources were searched. Inclusion criteria comprised articles published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese; children aged one to nine years diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, regardless of additional age ranges covered; and no restrictions on publication date, study design, or bibliographic type. Therapies were grouped into four categories: mindbody therapies, supplementation, herbal therapy, and dietary therapy.
A total of 1,444 publications were identified, with 133 peer-reviewed articles selected for analysis. Sixtyfive complementary therapies were identified, with neurofeedback( n = 38) being the most frequently cited mindbody therapy. Other interventions included a prevalence of polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation( n = 14), Ginkgo biloba use( n = 6) in phytotherapy, and oligo-antigenic diet( n = 5) in dietary therapy.
Complementary therapies show potential for alleviating symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in childhood. However, some therapies still lack scientific validation, highlighting the need for targeted experimental studies to ensure safe and effective use.
Livio Francisco S C, Fabio Borges P, Pedro Henrique Resende M. Myths and facts in the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders- other therapies. J Pediatr( Rio J). 2025 Oct 29; 102 Suppl 1( Suppl 1): 101452. doi: 10.1016 / j. jped. 2025.101452. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41022135; PMCID: PMC12603951.
Objective: To critically examine the effectiveness of complementary and alternative therapies( CATs) in the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders, distinguishing myths from evidence-based practices and supporting informed therapeutic decision-making for healthcare professionals, educators, and families.
Data sources: Evidence was collected from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to August 2025. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and international consensus statements addressing attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder( ADHD), autism spectrum disorder( ASD), specific learning disorders, communication and language disorders, intellectual disability, and developmental coordination disorder were included.
Summary of findings: Interest in interventions such as neurofeedback, transcranial direct current stimulation, music therapy, equine-assisted therapy, virtual reality, and gamification has grown substantially. However, most of these approaches lack methodological standardization and robust evidence to justify their use as primary treatments. Some demonstrate modest benefits as adjunctive strategies, especially when integrated into structured programs and supervised by multidisciplinary teams. Conversely, therapies including acupuncture, ozone therapy, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy present insufficient scientific support and should not be considered substitutes for validated methods.
Conclusion: Complementary and alternative therapies remain a topic of significant debate in the management of neurodevelopmental disorders. While certain approaches may offer limited adjunctive benefits, their clinical use should be carefully evaluated within evidence-based frameworks. The development of rigorous evaluations, standardized protocols, and the safe integration of innovative technologies is essential to optimize therapeutic outcomes without compromising access to scientifically validated interventions.
Exercise Therapy
Liu C, Wong SH, Arbour-Nicitopoulos K, Ho RT, Yang Y, Liang X, Leung A, Cheung
JS, Dastamooz S, Sit CH. Effects of physical activity on suicidal ideation and sleep disturbances in adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A randomized controlled trial. J Affect Disord. 2026 Jan 15; 393( Pt B): 120369. doi: 10.1016 / j. jad. 2025.120369. Epub 2025 Oct 9. PMID: 41067651.
Background: The current study aimed to investigate whether aerobic exercise-based physical activity( PA) intervention can reduce suicidal ideation( SI) and alleviate sleep disturbances in adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder( ADHD).
Methods: In this assessor-masked, multicenter, two-group randomized controlled trial, 72 adolescents with ADHD( Meanage = 14.71 ± 1.64 years) were randomly assigned to either the exercise group or the control group. Participants in the exercise group attended a 12-week aerobic exercise-based PA consisting of a 60- min session per week. SI was assessed using a self-report questionnaire, and sleep disturbances were evaluated with a parent-report questionnaire. Assessments were conducted at baseline and at the immediate end of the intervention.
Results: Repeated analyses of variance with a 2( time: Time 0 vs. Time 1) x 2( group: Exercise group vs. Control group) mixed-model design revealed that participants in the exercise group reported significantly reduced SI( F = 5.68, p =. 02, ηp2 = 0.09) and sleep disturbances( F = 7.11, p =. 01, ηp2 = 0.11). Further analysis suggested that four subdomains of sleep disturbances were significantly decreased, including bedtime resistance( F = 14.61, p <. 001, ηp2 = 0.21), sleep anxiety( F = 6.41, p =. 01, ηp2 = 0.10), night awakenings( F = 6.31, p =. 02, ηp2 = 0.10), and sleep disordered breathing( F = 6.44, p =. 01, ηp2 = 0.10).
Conclusion: The findings suggest that aerobic exercise-based PA may serve as an alternative or complementary approach to alleviate SI and sleep disturbances in adolescents with ADHD.
240 | vol31 | no4 | AJNM