The proposed application is to conduct the ground work for the development of """"""""Training Executive, Attention and Motor Skills (TEAMS),"""""""" a novel intervention for preschool children with Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). TEAMS is designed to result in enduring reductions of ADHD symptoms and associated impairments in children, and thus prevent the chronic and highly impairing course that ADHD oftentimes takes throughout the lifespan. TEAMS is based on the notions that: 1) the behavioral manifestations of ADHD are the result of deficient neural networks that affect a wide array of neurocognitive and behavioral processes which are not necessarily identical in all children with the disorder;2) neurodevelopment is sensitive to and can be positively affected by appropriate environmental influences;3) effective environmental stimulation will be best achieved within a dynamic social context;and 4) the engagement of the child in the core activities of the treatment must be intrinsically rewarding (i.e., fun) rather than extrinsically reinforced (e.g., praise or tokens) in order to facilitate self- imposed continuation of the intervention which will lead to generalization over time and across settings. We propose that these goals can be achieved through the use of game-like activities which place demands on an array of neurocognitive and motor skills, interspersed with periods of physical exercise. TEAMS will be administered within the context of a small group setting (Approximately 5 children). A concurrently-occurring parent group will focus on helping them to engage their children in these game-like and exercise activities at home. In addition, parents will be asked to encourage such play among their child and his/her peers so as to facilitate implementation outside of our clinical setting.

Public Health Relevance

This project is designed to develop a novel intervention for preschool children with Attention- deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) that will result in enduring reductions of ADHD symptoms and associated impairments in children, and thus prevent the chronic and highly impairing course that ADHD oftentimes takes throughout the lifespan.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21MH085898-01
Application #
7642845
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZMH1-ERB-L (02))
Program Officer
Wagner, Ann
Project Start
2009-04-10
Project End
2011-03-31
Budget Start
2009-04-10
Budget End
2010-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$214,954
Indirect Cost
Name
Queens College
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
619346146
City
Flushing
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
11367
Halperin, Jeffrey M; Marks, David J; Bedard, Anne-Claude V et al. (2013) Training executive, attention, and motor skills: a proof-of-concept study in preschool children With ADHD. J Atten Disord 17:711-21
O'Neill, Sarah; Rajendran, Khushmand; Halperin, Jeffrey M (2012) More than child's play: the potential benefits of play-based interventions for young children with ADHD. Expert Rev Neurother 12:1165-7
Halperin, Jeffrey M; Bedard, Anne-Claude V; Curchack-Lichtin, Jocelyn T (2012) Preventive interventions for ADHD: a neurodevelopmental perspective. Neurotherapeutics 9:531-41
Berwid, Olga G; Halperin, Jeffrey M (2012) Emerging support for a role of exercise in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder intervention planning. Curr Psychiatry Rep 14:543-51
Halperin, Jeffrey M; Healey, Dione M (2011) The influences of environmental enrichment, cognitive enhancement, and physical exercise on brain development: can we alter the developmental trajectory of ADHD? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 35:621-34