In Quebec, there has been an important increase of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis since 2015. ADHD symptoms, related to behavioural and/or concentration difficulties, are very similar to other disorders symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, and have a significant impact on students' academic success and future life. Adults (parent, teacher, coach) expectations towards a child's abilities are consciously or unconsciously perceived by the child, influence his expectations of his own abilities, and thus his academic performance (Pygmalion effect). The child and his entourage's expectations are therefore a major factor to consider, especially in school-age children. According to ADHD studies, some brain areas involved in pain regulation and in attention cognitive abilities develop at a slower rate in children with ADHD than the other children. Considering the deleterious consequences generated by the symptoms of this disorder, the research project aims to better understand the role of expectations in children with ADHD in a medical (pain) and school (attention abilities) context. It also aims to contribute to better understand the role of the brain on the expectations effect and ADHD. In this study, children expectations will be modulated while pain experiments and cognitive task will be realized by children with and without ADHD. Brain measures will also be assessed with advanced techniques. Thus, we hope that the results will help improve intervention strategies in these contexts to ensure better support for children with ADHD, with a distant goal of contributing to the development of stronger tools for differential diagnostics.
Age range
8 Years – 9 Years
Sex
ALL
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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
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Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Placebo and nocebo effect on pain
Timeframe: Change from pre-test pain sensation to the pain sensation after the two "medications" (collected in one visit in March-April during the pre-test, after the placebo and after the nocebo. Data will be reported within the following 6 months.
Placebo and nocebo effect on attention abilities
Timeframe: Change from pre-test results to the results observed after the two "medications" (collected in one visit in March-April during the pre-test, after the placebo and after the nocebo. Data will be reported within the following 6 months.
Carmen-Édith Belleï-Rodriguez, ps.ed., MSc