Management of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): The Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour, which impair patient functioning. There is a growing trend among parents to use complementary and alternative medicines alongside conventional treatments to manage their children's ADHD symptoms. The aim of this review is to elucidate the therapeutic methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) by discussing their scientifically established mechanisms of action, effectiveness and side effects, thereby creating a comparative understanding relative to current pharmaceutical treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants are the first-choice pharmacological treatment; they are effective in alleviating symptoms but are often associated with side effects. These issues have prompted interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches. TCM offers various methods for managing ADHD. This review synthesizes current evidence on the TCM perspective regarding ADHD aetiology and its main therapeutic options, including herbal treatments, acupuncture, Tai Chi and paediatric tuina, along with their proposed neurobiological mechanisms. The clinical safety and efficacy of these treatments were evaluated based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses. These findings demonstrate that TCM interventions significantly reduce core ADHD symptoms, often with acceptable safety profiles. This review concludes that TCM represents a valuable complementary approach; however, more high-quality research is needed to standardize treatments and facilitate their evidence-based integration into conventional psychiatric management and therapy.