How Researchers Measured Progress
To assess improvements in symptoms and cognitive performance, the research team used several standardized tools:
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ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS) to measure symptom severity
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Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scale for overall clinical evaluation
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Neuropsychological tests to evaluate attention, memory, and executive functioning
These tests allowed the researchers to examine both behavioral symptoms and cognitive abilities.
Significant Improvement After 12 Weeks
At the end of the 12-week supplementation period, the results showed notable improvements.
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ADHD-RS scores decreased from 31.12 to 24.15, indicating a reduction in ADHD symptoms.
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CGI-S scores improved from 3.38 to 2.94, suggesting overall clinical improvement.
Beyond symptom reduction, the children also demonstrated improvements in several key cognitive functions, including:
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Better attention control, with fewer attention errors
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Improved short-term and delayed memory
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Enhanced executive function, which includes planning, decision-making, and impulse control
Safety and Tolerance
Another important finding was that the supplement combination was well tolerated by participants. Only one child reported a temporary headache, and no serious side effects were observed during the study.
This suggests that the combination of omega-3 fatty acids and Korean red ginseng could be a relatively safe complementary approach, though further research is required.
Why These Nutrients May Help
Researchers believe the positive effects may be related to how these nutrients influence brain function.
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Omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA and EPA, are essential for brain development and neuronal communication. Low levels of omega-3 have been linked to attention problems in several studies.
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Korean red ginseng contains active compounds called ginsenosides, which may help improve mental energy, cognitive performance, and stress regulation.
Together, these substances may support brain function, attention control, and cognitive processing.