Inject fun into a boring task

Meta-analysis: a single 15-30 min bout of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity temporarily facilitates executive functions in children with ADHD. Supports the '10 push-ups every 15 min' component as a real, evidence-based way to raise activation/arousal for a task.

24 studies, 914 participants: physical activity improved inhibitory control, working memory and cognitive flexibility in ADHD (e.g., working memory SMD -0.50). Movement-based stimulation has controlled support as an arousal/EF booster.

Meta-analysis confirms ADHD is reliably associated with preference for small immediate over larger delayed rewards (delay aversion / impulsive drive for immediate reward). Provides the mechanistic rationale: an immediate small pleasure (coffee, scent, music) lowers the affective barrier to entering a low-reward boring task.

Systematic review including 5 RCTs; evidence on background music for ADHD is mixed. Some studies show preferred background music increases task-focus by reducing mind-wandering, but passive music shows no consistent effect on attention networks. The 'energetic playlist' component is plausible but not robustly proven.

Controlled study: preferred background music increased the proportion of task-focused states by decreasing mind-wandering (did not change external distraction). Indirect support that an added pleasant stimulus can aid task engagement, though not ADHD-specific.

Models how reward and novelty processing are altered in ADHD and how added novelty/reward signals can compensate. Establishes the dopamine/novelty mechanism the method relies on, but is a computational/mechanistic account, not a trial of the coping strategy.