Analysis of current status of clinical trial registrations for ADHD in China based on ChiCTR database

ZHAO Sai; ZHAO Shuyu; WANG Zheng; CHEN Zijia

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1002-266X.2025.04.013

Abstract：Objective To analyze the current status of registered clinical trials related to Attention Deficit Hyperac-tivity Disorder(ADHD)in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry(ChiCTR)database,and to explore their development trends and existing issues,so as to provide references for future ADHD research.Methods The ChiCTR database was systematically searched to collect all registered ADHD-related clinical trials from its inception to November 30,2024.Characteristics including registration timeline,diagnostic criteria,interventions,trial design,and regional distribution were analyzed.Results A total of 128 ADHD-related clinical trials were included.Trial registrations increased steadily since the first registration in 2010,with annual registrations exceeding 10 after 2020.Registrations were concentrated in more developed regions(Beijing:31 trials,Shanghai:15 trials,Guangdong:15 trials),while underdeveloped regions had fewer studies.The predominant diagnostic criterion was the DSM-5(71.88%),with its usage further increasing after 2023.Non-pharmacological interventions dominated(50.78%),including behavioral training and exercise interventions,while pharmacological interventions accounted for 15.63%.The most common trial design was randomized parallel-con-trolled(47.66%),with only 14.29%of interventional trials adopting a double-blind design.Studies on traditional Chi-nese medicine interventions were limited(10.16%),lacking distinctive features.Conclusions ADHD-related clinical trial registrations in China have shown steady growth,the diagnostic criteria have been gradually unified,and the interven-tion measures have shown diversification.However,challenges remain,including insufficient implementation of blinding methods,uneven regional distribution,and limited research on traditional Chinese medicine interventions.