What this study is
This study is conducted entirely in person at California State University, San Bernardino. Participation requires 12 campus visits over six weeks. Remote participation is not available, and travel expenses are not reimbursed. Participants who complete all study visits will receive a gift valued at $25.
This study will evaluate the feasibility and potential effects of a six-week, music-based binaural beats stimulation program in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Forty adults with ADHD will be randomly assigned to either a binaural beat stimulation group or a control group. Both groups will attend 12 supervised listening sessions over six weeks and listen to similar music for 20 minutes per session; however, only the intervention group's music will contain embedded binaural beats. Cognitive assessments will be completed before and after the intervention to evaluate changes in attention and memory. Session attendance and participant retention will also be examined to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the program.
What's being tested
- Music-Based Binaural Beats Stimulation
Intervention · BEHAVIORAL
Participants will receive 12 supervised binaural beats stimulation sessions over six weeks, with two sessions conducted per week. During each session, participants will listen through headphones to 20 minutes of music containing embedded binaural beats. Music will be selected based on each participant's preferred genre from available options.
- Music Listening Without Binaural Beats
Intervention · BEHAVIORAL
Participants will receive 12 supervised music-listening sessions over six weeks, with two sessions conducted per week. During each session, participants will listen through headphones to 20 minutes of music without embedded binaural beats. The music, listening duration, session schedule, setting, and available genre options will be similar to those provided to the experimental group.
Study details
- Official title
- Effects of Binaural Beats Stimulation on Attention and Memory in Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- Sponsor
- California State University, San Bernardino
- Conditions
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Enrolling
- 40 people
- Starts
- 2026-03-03
- Est. completion
- 2027-12
- Design
- Single-blind, randomized, parallel groups
- Record
- View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Who can join
Age 18 Years – 55 YearsSex ALLHealthy volunteers Not acceptedYou may qualify if
- Adults aged 18 to 55 years
- Previous diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) made by a qualified healthcare professional and supported by the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, version 1.1 (ASRS-v1.1)
- Willing to wear headphones during the listening sessions
- Able and willing to attend 12 listening sessions at the CSUSB campus conducted twice weekly over six weeks -
You can't join if
- Anticipated absence from the study area for more than seven days during the two-month study period
- Uncorrectable hearing impairment that would prevent adequate delivery of music through headphones
- Acute psychiatric condition, such as depression
- Intellectual or developmental disability that could interfere with study participation
- Acute medical condition resulting in sensory impairment
- Initiation of, or a change in dosage of, stimulant, antipsychotic, or analgesic medication within the previous month
- Anticipated change in stimulant, antipsychotic, or analgesic medication during the study period
Sign in and we'll check these against your records.Full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Study locations (1)
1 openCalifornia State University, San Bernardino
San Bernardino, California, United States
- Zhaojing Chen, Ph.D. · Contact909-537-5358bbsinterventionproject@gmail.com
Recruiting
Study team
Sponsor
California State University, San Bernardino
Study ID IRB-FY2026-171
Frequently asked questions
The sponsor hasn't published answers to common questions for this trial.