CompletedNot Applicable

The Effects of Lemon Essential Oil Inhalation on Attention in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Turkey (Türkiye)52 participantsStarted 2022-02-15

Plain-language summary

This randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the acute effects of lemon essential oil inhalation on sustained attention and visual memory in children diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Fifty-two medication-naive children aged 9-16 were randomized to receive either lemon oil or placebo inhalation before cognitive assessments. Primary outcome was sustained attention performance. The study found significant improvements in attention scores in the lemon oil group.

Who can participate

Age range

9 Years – 16 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Children aged 9 to 16 years * Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) based on DSM-5 criteria * Medication-naive (not currently using or previously treated with pharmacological agents for ADHD) * No chronic medical or psychiatric comorbidities * Capable of completing standardized cognitive assessments (e.g., D2 Attention Test, Benton Visual Memory Test) * Written informed consent obtained from a parent or legal guardian * Written assent obtained from the child Exclusion Criteria: * Lack of written parental consent or child assent * Inability to comply with the study protocol (e.g., refusal to complete cognitive testing or intervention procedure) * Current or prior use of ADHD medication * Presence of moderate-to-severe ADHD symptoms requiring immediate pharmacological treatment (based on AACAP 2020 and NICE 2019 guidelines) * Presence of any chronic medical or psychiatric comorbid condition * Diagnosis not confirmed by a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

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.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in D2 Attention Test Total Performance Score (TN-E)

Timeframe: Baseline and Day 30 (after intervention)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07586761

SponsorBaşakşehir Çam & Sakura City Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER_GOV

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2023-09-30

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity (ADHD) trials