Trade Study of Population Age Groups for a Clinical Trial in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ABSTRACT ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulty paying attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity that is treated by an array of different modalities in order to decrease functional impairment. Despite the variety of available pharmacologic treatment options and their widespread use, there still remains a strong need to create innovative therapies. Game Based Therapy (GBT) is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that seeks to increase the efficacy of currently available pharmacological treatments through improving cognitive deficits and reducing the current dose of such treatments. At the University of Kentucky, a clinical trial was implemented to assess the effects of combining stimulant pharmacotherapy with the popular video game Minecraft as Game Based Therapy on ADHD symptoms in children ages 10-15. However, the low subject recruitment played a large role in the trial failing to produce conclusive data from that site. This trade study serves to address the difficulties of subject recruitment and determine an optimal population and location for future adoption of the clinical trial. Through statistical analysis of state, national, and survey data it was found that in Lexington, Kentucky, 18-21 year olds are the optimal population for future GBT with pharmacotherapy clinical trials.