RecruitingInterventional

Testing an app created to support emotion regulation in young people with ADHD symptoms

Many young people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) find it hard to manage strong feelings like frustration, anger, or sadness. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have co-designed a new smartphone app called ER-ADHD to help teens build skills to manage their emotions. This online study is looking for 50 young people aged 11 to 15 who live in England or Scotland. You can join if you have an ADHD diagnosis or are on an NHS waiting list for one, and struggle with managing your feelings. Taking part involves filling out short surveys, using the app for four weeks, and optionally joining a feedback chat. Parents or carers can also take part by completing brief questionnaires. The study is free, done entirely from home, and aims to help improve future support tools for young people with ADHD.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Edinburgh

Enrolment target

100

Start

04 Sep 2026

Estimated completion

17 Feb 2027

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

What is this study about?

Living with ADHD is not just about staying focused or sitting still. Many young people with ADHD also experience intense feelings that can be hard to control, such as sudden frustration, anxiety, or low mood. Right now, there are very few accessible tools made specifically to help young people with ADHD handle these big emotions.

To help fill this gap, researchers worked together with young people, parents, and healthcare professionals to build a new mobile app called ER-ADHD. The app offers simple, self-guided tools and tips designed to make understanding and coping with emotions easier in daily life.

This trial aims to see whether using the app for four weeks makes a positive difference in how teenagers feel and cope. It will also check whether the app is enjoyable and easy to use. What researchers learn could help shape better, widely available digital tools for young people across the UK in the future.

Key takeaways

Tests a new smartphone app created to help 11 to 15-year-olds with ADHD manage strong emotions.
Open to young people in England and Scotland with an ADHD diagnosis or on an NHS waiting list.
The study lasts four weeks and takes place entirely online from home.
Participation is free and completely voluntary.
Funded by the Medical Research Council and run by the University of Edinburgh.

Who may be eligible?

This study is open to young people aged 11 to 15 who live in England or Scotland. To take part, you must either have a formal diagnosis of ADHD or currently be on an NHS waiting list for an ADHD assessment. You will also need access to a smartphone or tablet that can run the app, and be able to read and understand English.

The app is designed for young people who find dealing with strong feelings moderately to severely tough. Because of this, teenagers who have little to no trouble managing their emotions will not be eligible.

You can still take part if you have other mental health or neurodivergent conditions alongside ADHD. A parent or guardian will need to give permission for you to join, and they can also choose to answer a few questions about how you are doing.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

I am between 11 and 15 years old.
I live in England or Scotland.
I have an ADHD diagnosis or am on an NHS waiting list for an assessment.
I find it hard to manage strong emotions like anger, frustration, or sadness.
I have access to a smartphone or tablet with an internet connection.
My parent or carer is happy to give their consent for me to take part.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part is done completely online from home, so you will not need to travel to any clinic or hospital. First, you and your parent or carer will read the study information and sign consent forms online. You will then fill out a brief screening questionnaire to check if the app is a good fit for you.

If you join, you will complete a starting questionnaire about your feelings. You will then download the ER-ADHD app and use it on your phone or tablet over a four-week period at your own pace. After the four weeks, you will fill out a follow-up questionnaire to share how you felt and what you thought of the app. Some teenagers will also be invited to take part in an optional short interview to give more detailed feedback. In total, the study takes just over a month of your time.

Potential risks and benefits

There is no guarantee that using the app will directly improve your mood or symptoms, but your feedback will help researchers create better digital mental health tools for other young people. Taking part carries very little physical risk. However, answering questions and thinking about tough emotions or mental health might sometimes feel slightly upsetting or tiring. Taking part is completely voluntary. You are free to stop using the app and leave the study at any point without giving a reason, and it will not affect your normal NHS care.

Locations (2)

Devon Partnership NHS Trust
City only
Exeter, England
NHS Grampian
Approximate
Aberdeen, Scotland

Common questions

Do I need an official ADHD diagnosis to join?

No. You can take part if you have a formal diagnosis or if you are currently on an NHS waiting list for an ADHD assessment.

Do I have to travel to Edinburgh to take part?

No. The entire study happens online from home using your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Does taking part cost anything?

No, joining the study and using the app is completely free.

Can my parent or carer take part too?

Yes. A parent or carer must give permission for you to join, and they can also optionally fill out brief surveys about your progress.

What happens if I want to stop?

You can leave the study at any time. You do not have to explain why, and it will not affect your standard medical care or place on any waiting list.

How to find out more

Daria Melashenko

dmelashe@ed.ac.uk - Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.