All participants in our research have the option of being sent the final report on any studies they contribute to. But we also want to make our work as openly available as possible so on this page you can find our latest research publications. These are typically in the form of links to the publishers but where possible we have also included a PDF:
“I Found Comfort in Exercising”: Exploring Experiences With Exercise for Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
In this study we interviewed individuals with ADHD to find our how exercise impacted their lives. We found three major themes: seeing exercise as a necessity pre and post diagnosis, using exercise as a way to structure life and having a rollercoaster journey with exercise. This study is available here. You can download the PDF here.
Health Practitioner Attitudes to Psychosocial Treatments in ADHD: Impact of Country, Age, Profession, and Beliefs
In this study we compared practitioners in the UK and Malaysia in terms of their views about psychosocial treatments for ADHD. We found that respondents in Malaysia had more favourable views overall and that age, qualification and belief in ADHD as real were all important in practitioner beliefs. You can access it here.
Neurodiversity and cognitive load in online learning: A focus group study
In this study we ran focus groups with neurotypical and neurodivergent students at university to understand the sources of cognitive load. The results suggest that neurotypical and neurodivergent students experience similar challenges, albeit to differing degrees of intensity, and that more research is needed to explore the relationship between neurodiversity and cognitive load in online learning. You can access it here.
Neurodiversity and cognitive load in online learning: A systematic review with narrative synthesis
This is a review paper which means that we synthesize the work of others. Here we were interested in understanding cognitive load (mental effort) research in neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals. The review findings that sadly, many studies have neglected neurodivergent populations. You can read this here.
Neurophysiological measures and correlates of cognitive load in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and dyslexia: A scoping review and research recommendations
This paper is a review, which means that we have brought together findings from a range of studies rather than produced new research. In this review we look at how neurodivergent populations have been considered in cognitive load research in terms of the methods used. You can read it here.
Methodological adjustments for experimental studies including neurodiverse participants: A checklist for before, during, and after laboratory visits
This is also a methods paper, describing how laboratory based experiments can be adapted to support a range of neurodivergent participants. You can read it here.
Co-design for participatory neurodiversity research: collaborating with a community advisory board to design a research study
This paper details how we worked with a neurodivergent student panel to develop research into neurodiversity in Higher Education. It is a methods paper rather than a paper describing any scientific findings. You can read it here.
Sign-tracking and goal-tracking in humans: Utilising eye-tracking in clinical and non-clinical populations
In this study we examined the phenomenon of sign tracking and goal tracking in individuals with ADHD. These concepts relate to learned behaviour in which individuals either attend to a cue predicting a reward or the reward. Sign tracking is where the cue is focused on and it is associated with several conditions including ADHD. We found that individuals with ADHD did not differ from those without for sign tracking but that the behaviour as a whole was likely to have some dispositional and some learnt components. You can read this paper here.
Exercise Dependency and Overuse Injuries in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
In this study we examined compulsive exercise which has previously been associated with ADHD. We confirmed the previous findings that ADHD carries a higher risk of exercise addiction symptoms but that this was not associated with overuse injuries, unless the individual also had co-occuring ASD. You can read the paper here.
The effects of tryptophan loading on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in adults: A remote double blind randomised controlled trial
In this study we compared those with ADHD and those without following different amounts of trytophan loading. Tryptophan is an amino acid that is found in the diet and can be used by the body to make serotonin. It has previously been found to help with aggressive behaviour in ADHD but most research focused on children and no studies had looked at inattention and impulsivity. This study found no effects of tryptophan acutely on either construct in adults with ADHD or without. This does not mean effects would not be found with different doses or over longer period of time and so it was important to publish the work. You can read the paper here.
The Effects of Different Exercise Approaches on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults: A Randomised Controlled Trial
In this study, we examined the effects of just 10 minutes of cycling or yoga on the symptoms of ADHD in healthy adults and those with a diagnosis. As expected those with ADHD moved more that those without but movement increased in healthy adults when they exercised without effect on those with ADHD. For attention we saw similar effects, i.e. in healthy adults exercise increased reaction time but had no impact on ADHD. Impulsivity findings were more exciting! Cycling and yoga reduced temporal impulsivity in those with ADHD (and cycling helped in healthy controls as well). You can access the paper here.
Mindfulness Interventions for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
In this study we review current literature examining mindfulness as a possible intervention for ADHD. We reviewed data from 22 studies to reveal that that mindfulness may help with self-compassion, quality of life, wellbeing, depression, and anxiety within ADHD. It may also help improve ADHD symptoms, executive function, problematic behaviours, and emotional dysregulation, although results vary by age of patient and measures used. Parent stress and parenting style have received limited attention, highlighting the need for more studies in these areas. Whilst the data presented suggest that mindfulness may be beneficial, the evidence base is not as strong as the popularity of the approach and more high quality research is needed. You can access this paper here.
Attitudes and preferences towards exercise as a means to managing ADHD in adults: A survey study.
In this study we asked adults with ADHD to tell us about their existing exercise habits and how they felt about using exercise to manage their ADHD, either as a standalone or adjunct treatment (alongside medication). Analysis revealed that participants’ willingness to engage in exercise as a standalone treatment differed based on medication use. Despite this, exercise interventions were considered feasible, with most willing to dedicate considerable time to exercise. In terms of support, the most popular approaches were in-person support from a personal trainer or healthcare professional or independent exercise following a personalized plan. You can read the full study here.
The role of tryptophan modulation on ADHD symptoms: A systematic review.
Serotonin is thought to be important in ADHD and studies attempting to modulate serotonin have been carried out in individuals with ADHD. Here we review the current literature and demonstrate that, despite several studies being conducted there is very little research looking at adults, actual core symptoms of ADHD and both males and females. You can access this paper free from the publishers without subscription here.
Exercise addiction in ADHD
Exercise is viewed as positive for both physical and mental health in everyone. It is also thought to be helpful in ADHD. However, we know that people with ADHD are more at risk of developing behavioural and drug addictions so we conducted research into exercise behaviours in ADHD to examine whether there was a risk of exercise addiction. We found that some individuals with ADHD will fixate on exercise more and there could be a higher risk of exercise withdrawal. Whilst those with ADHD were no more likely to become addicted to exercise than those without, they were more likely to be classed as symptomatic non-dependent than asymptomatic non-dependent. This means exercise needs to be carefully examined - more research is needed. There is a link to the website here but you can also download a copy here Popat et al 2021.
“I Found Comfort in Exercising”: Exploring Experiences With Exercise for Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
In this study we interviewed individuals with ADHD to find our how exercise impacted their lives. We found three major themes: seeing exercise as a necessity pre and post diagnosis, using exercise as a way to structure life and having a rollercoaster journey with exercise. This study is available here. You can download the PDF here.
Health Practitioner Attitudes to Psychosocial Treatments in ADHD: Impact of Country, Age, Profession, and Beliefs
In this study we compared practitioners in the UK and Malaysia in terms of their views about psychosocial treatments for ADHD. We found that respondents in Malaysia had more favourable views overall and that age, qualification and belief in ADHD as real were all important in practitioner beliefs. You can access it here.
Neurodiversity and cognitive load in online learning: A focus group study
In this study we ran focus groups with neurotypical and neurodivergent students at university to understand the sources of cognitive load. The results suggest that neurotypical and neurodivergent students experience similar challenges, albeit to differing degrees of intensity, and that more research is needed to explore the relationship between neurodiversity and cognitive load in online learning. You can access it here.
Neurodiversity and cognitive load in online learning: A systematic review with narrative synthesis
This is a review paper which means that we synthesize the work of others. Here we were interested in understanding cognitive load (mental effort) research in neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals. The review findings that sadly, many studies have neglected neurodivergent populations. You can read this here.
Neurophysiological measures and correlates of cognitive load in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and dyslexia: A scoping review and research recommendations
This paper is a review, which means that we have brought together findings from a range of studies rather than produced new research. In this review we look at how neurodivergent populations have been considered in cognitive load research in terms of the methods used. You can read it here.
Methodological adjustments for experimental studies including neurodiverse participants: A checklist for before, during, and after laboratory visits
This is also a methods paper, describing how laboratory based experiments can be adapted to support a range of neurodivergent participants. You can read it here.
Co-design for participatory neurodiversity research: collaborating with a community advisory board to design a research study
This paper details how we worked with a neurodivergent student panel to develop research into neurodiversity in Higher Education. It is a methods paper rather than a paper describing any scientific findings. You can read it here.
Sign-tracking and goal-tracking in humans: Utilising eye-tracking in clinical and non-clinical populations
In this study we examined the phenomenon of sign tracking and goal tracking in individuals with ADHD. These concepts relate to learned behaviour in which individuals either attend to a cue predicting a reward or the reward. Sign tracking is where the cue is focused on and it is associated with several conditions including ADHD. We found that individuals with ADHD did not differ from those without for sign tracking but that the behaviour as a whole was likely to have some dispositional and some learnt components. You can read this paper here.
Exercise Dependency and Overuse Injuries in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
In this study we examined compulsive exercise which has previously been associated with ADHD. We confirmed the previous findings that ADHD carries a higher risk of exercise addiction symptoms but that this was not associated with overuse injuries, unless the individual also had co-occuring ASD. You can read the paper here.
The effects of tryptophan loading on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in adults: A remote double blind randomised controlled trial
In this study we compared those with ADHD and those without following different amounts of trytophan loading. Tryptophan is an amino acid that is found in the diet and can be used by the body to make serotonin. It has previously been found to help with aggressive behaviour in ADHD but most research focused on children and no studies had looked at inattention and impulsivity. This study found no effects of tryptophan acutely on either construct in adults with ADHD or without. This does not mean effects would not be found with different doses or over longer period of time and so it was important to publish the work. You can read the paper here.
The Effects of Different Exercise Approaches on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults: A Randomised Controlled Trial
In this study, we examined the effects of just 10 minutes of cycling or yoga on the symptoms of ADHD in healthy adults and those with a diagnosis. As expected those with ADHD moved more that those without but movement increased in healthy adults when they exercised without effect on those with ADHD. For attention we saw similar effects, i.e. in healthy adults exercise increased reaction time but had no impact on ADHD. Impulsivity findings were more exciting! Cycling and yoga reduced temporal impulsivity in those with ADHD (and cycling helped in healthy controls as well). You can access the paper here.
Mindfulness Interventions for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
In this study we review current literature examining mindfulness as a possible intervention for ADHD. We reviewed data from 22 studies to reveal that that mindfulness may help with self-compassion, quality of life, wellbeing, depression, and anxiety within ADHD. It may also help improve ADHD symptoms, executive function, problematic behaviours, and emotional dysregulation, although results vary by age of patient and measures used. Parent stress and parenting style have received limited attention, highlighting the need for more studies in these areas. Whilst the data presented suggest that mindfulness may be beneficial, the evidence base is not as strong as the popularity of the approach and more high quality research is needed. You can access this paper here.
Attitudes and preferences towards exercise as a means to managing ADHD in adults: A survey study.
In this study we asked adults with ADHD to tell us about their existing exercise habits and how they felt about using exercise to manage their ADHD, either as a standalone or adjunct treatment (alongside medication). Analysis revealed that participants’ willingness to engage in exercise as a standalone treatment differed based on medication use. Despite this, exercise interventions were considered feasible, with most willing to dedicate considerable time to exercise. In terms of support, the most popular approaches were in-person support from a personal trainer or healthcare professional or independent exercise following a personalized plan. You can read the full study here.
The role of tryptophan modulation on ADHD symptoms: A systematic review.
Serotonin is thought to be important in ADHD and studies attempting to modulate serotonin have been carried out in individuals with ADHD. Here we review the current literature and demonstrate that, despite several studies being conducted there is very little research looking at adults, actual core symptoms of ADHD and both males and females. You can access this paper free from the publishers without subscription here.
Exercise addiction in ADHD
Exercise is viewed as positive for both physical and mental health in everyone. It is also thought to be helpful in ADHD. However, we know that people with ADHD are more at risk of developing behavioural and drug addictions so we conducted research into exercise behaviours in ADHD to examine whether there was a risk of exercise addiction. We found that some individuals with ADHD will fixate on exercise more and there could be a higher risk of exercise withdrawal. Whilst those with ADHD were no more likely to become addicted to exercise than those without, they were more likely to be classed as symptomatic non-dependent than asymptomatic non-dependent. This means exercise needs to be carefully examined - more research is needed. There is a link to the website here but you can also download a copy here Popat et al 2021.