Remote ADHD Research Study
Researchers at Virginia Tech are conducting a study to test how well the RELAX program helps teens with ADHD manage emotions and improve daily life, while also giving parents tools to support them.
Fast Facts
Ages 11-16
Diagnosed with ADHD
Compensation
Provided
Conducted Remotely
Study Background
Can a new program help teens with ADHD better manage big emotions?
Researchers at Virginia Tech’s CALMER Lab are studying how well RELAX, a group-based program for adolescents ages 11–16 with ADHD, helps improve emotional, social, and academic functioning. Many teens with ADHD struggle with managing strong feelings like anger, sadness, and frustration, which can affect relationships, school, and family life. While emotion dysregulation is one of the most common reasons teens are referred for therapy, there is currently no evidence-based treatment designed specifically for this challenge in adolescents with ADHD.
The RELAX program teaches teens skills to handle big emotions, communicate more effectively, and manage conflicts, while also providing parents with strategies to support their child’s progress. Families in the study attend weekly group sessions and follow-up reviews, and researchers track outcomes through assessments and family activities. The goal of this study is to validate RELAX as an effective, evidence-based treatment that can fill a critical gap in care for adolescents with ADHD.
Study Background
Can a new program help teens with ADHD better manage big emotions?
Researchers at Virginia Tech’s CALMER Lab are studying how well RELAX, a group-based program for adolescents ages 11–16 with ADHD, helps improve emotional, social, and academic functioning. Many teens with ADHD struggle with managing strong feelings like anger, sadness, and frustration, which can affect relationships, school, and family life. While emotion dysregulation is one of the most common reasons teens are referred for therapy, there is currently no evidence-based treatment designed specifically for this challenge in adolescents with ADHD.
The RELAX program teaches teens skills to handle big emotions, communicate more effectively, and manage conflicts, while also providing parents with strategies to support their child’s progress. Families in the study attend weekly group sessions and follow-up reviews, and researchers track outcomes through assessments and family activities. The goal of this study is to validate RELAX as an effective, evidence-based treatment that can fill a critical gap in care for adolescents with ADHD.
Additional Information
This study is being done to test whether the RELAX program can effectively help adolescents with ADHD manage difficult emotions and improve their social, academic, and family functioning, since no evidence-based treatment currently exists for this need.
You/your child may be eligible for this study if the following criteria are met:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Ages 11-16
- Diagnosed with ADHD
- No severe developmental delays
- Family is fluent in English
If you or your child participate in this study, here’s what you can expect:
Virtual assessment visit – your adolescent will complete a diagnostic interview and an IQ screen.
Group assignment – you will be randomly assigned to either:
The RELAX condition, which includes an 8-week virtual group program for parents and adolescents plus 2 review sessions, or
The waitlist control condition, which provides access to infographics and videos on emotion regulation and conflict management.
Parent-adolescent discussions – you and your adolescent will join 3 short (about 15-minute) virtual visits to complete discussion tasks.
Online questionnaires – you will complete surveys at 4 timepoints that align with the virtual study visits.
Yes, your family will be compensated up to $200 for completing all parts of the study. This includes $10 for each visit, $20 for your adolescent’s questionnaires, and $20 for parent questionnaires at each of the four timepoints.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.