Summary:
ADHD is a common childhood condition that affects attention, behaviour and everyday functioning. Medication is usually the first treatment, but some families look for alternatives because stimulants can reduce appetite or slow growth. One option being explored is broad-spectrum micronutrient supplementation, which provides a wide range of vitamins and minerals that may support brain and immune function. Several randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have shown improvements in inattention and overall functioning when compared with placebo. This study, a multi-site randomised controlled trial in children aged 7-12, tested micronutrients for 8-16 weeks. Children who received micronutrients were more likely to show meaningful improvements in overall functioning and inattention than those given placebo. Effects on hyperactivity and mood symptoms were smaller and less consistent. This study also included an open-label extension, where all participants received micronutrients. Children from both the original micronutrient group and the placebo group had improved, with no major differences between early and delayed supplementation. Overall, this study suggests that broad-spectrum micronutrients may be a safe, promising supplementary option for some children with ADHD, although further long-term research is needed.
Abstract:
A 10-week randomised controlled trial (RCT) showed efficacy of micronutrients in improving symptoms associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This study investigated duration effects of micronutrient treatment through the open label (OL) phase and document the micronutrient effect on those initially allocated to placebo. Children aged 7–12 years randomized to micronutrients or placebo for 10 weeks (RCT), then received 10 weeks OL, creating two groups: placebo first then micronutrients (P-M) or micronutrients in both phases (M-M). Assessments included measures of ADHD, emotional dysregulation and Clinical-Global-Impression-Improvement (CGI-I). Of the 93 children enrolled in RCT, 78 (83.9%) completed OL; 37 in P-M and 41 in M-M. For those initially assigned to placebo, CGI-I responders significantly increased from 32.4% in the RCT to 64.9% in OL (p = .002); those who took micronutrients for 20 weeks increased from 46.3% (end-of-RCT) to 63.4% responders (end-of-OL) but this was not significant (p = .065). Over half of children were treatment responders at end-of-OL, based on 30% reduction in ADHD symptoms from baseline, both from parent (61.5%) and clinician (53.8%) report. Pre-post effect sizes within both groups were significant and very large for all measures, with no significant group differences at end of OL. There were no differences in side effects. Both groups showed significant increases in height over time. This study supports micronutrients as a viable treatment option for ADHD with acute changes maintained and improved over a further 10-week period, with the placebo group catching up to those exposed to micronutrients for full trial duration.
Article Publication Date: 03/09/2025
DOI: 10.1007/s00787-021-01871-x
