Using Remote Technology to Support Young People Aged 16-17 with ADHD During Their Transition to Adulthood

What this Trial Is About

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental condition affecting about 5.9% of young people, with late adolescence being a particularly challenging time. This period involves major life changes and a transition from child to adult mental health services, where many young people with ADHD do not successfully transfer, leading to a lack of appropriate support. This research aims to use remote measurement technology to better understand changes during this transition, identify predictors of outcomes, and develop ways to prevent negative effects and support healthy lifestyles for young people with ADHD. The study will remotely monitor 250 young people aged 16 to 17 with a diagnosis of ADHD over two years using the ADHD Remote Technology ART assessment and monitoring system. ART includes active monitoring through questionnaires and passive monitoring such as sleep tracking via a smartphone app linked to the RADAR-base mobile health platform. Throughout the study period, participants will use either their own compatible Android phone or a provided study phone and wear a wearable device for continuous data collection. The study team will work with young people to co-design a prototype smartphone app to support ADHD transition, focusing on empowering participants to manage their condition collaboratively with clinicians. Participants will complete self-reported assessments via smartphone regularly, including measures of ADHD symptoms, anxiety, depression, aggression, irritability, nicotine dependence, alcohol use, eating disorders, self-esteem, social support, and engagement with work or studies. Cognitive measures and digital signals related to healthy lifestyle behaviors will also be collected. These assessments occur at baseline and at various intervals up to 24 months. The study emphasizes remote participation and uses continuous monitoring to gather comprehensive data on how symptoms and functioning change during this critical transition period.

ADHD Remote Technology and ADHD Transition: Predicting and Preventing Negative Outcomes