Group Exercise-Assisted Coaching for Adults with ADHD Symptoms: A Pilot Feasibility Study of Everyday Functioning and Quality of Life

Symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults are associated with substantial functional impairment, and the supply of evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions remains limited. This paper reports a pilot feasibility study (2021) of an eight-week programme for adults who self-identified with ADHD symptoms. The programme combined online group psychological coaching (with values clarification and goal setting), progressive walk–run exercise (Galloway method), digital self-monitoring with a collective kilometre count, and weekly psychoeducation. Sixty-one people took part, with a high symptom burden (mean ASRS 45.9 out of 72). Exploratory comparisons were run with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test in the subgroup with two assessments. Three contrasts reached nominal significance: overall functional disability (6 of 6 improved; p = .031), social functioning (6 of 6; p = .031) and hyperactivity–impulsivity (7 of 8; p = .039). None would survive a correction for multiple comparisons, so they are read as exploratory signals; inattention symptoms did not change. A final questionnaire (n = 6) indicated high acceptability. The programme was delivered with freely available tools, making it replicable at no cost. A three-arm randomised controlled trial is proposed to isolate its active components. Keywords: adult ADHD; coaching psychology; physical exercise; quality of life; social functioning; adherence; feasibility study