An interventional study of Fidget ball in ADHD, sponsored by University of California, Davis. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 30 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-15.
Sponsored by University of California, Davis · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science
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.
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.
Exclusion Criteria:
The participant is given a specially designed fidget ball
Other: Fidget ball
Access to a prototype 'smart' fidget ball with pressure sensors embedded, that produces touch traces and transmits real time data
Processing speed
Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT)
Time frame: Day 1
Working memory
List Sorting Test
Time frame: Day 1
Response inhibition
Flanker type test
Time frame: Day 1
Physiological response as an index of emotional regulation
Heart rate variability and pre ejection period
Time frame: Approximately 45 minutes
Plan to share: Yes — Data will be shared via NDAR
Supporting information: Study protocol
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Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity→
University of California, Davis