Virginia Tech Study Explores DJing as ADHD Treatment

Pilot project tests music-making as a creative, movement-based form of non-drug therapy.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Researchers at Virginia Tech are conducting a pilot study to examine whether learning to DJ can help improve symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study, co-led by neuroscientist Julia Basso and hip-hop scholar Craig Arthur, enrolled 60 young adults, half of whom participated in an eight-session DJing workshop. The researchers are tracking changes in brain activity, physiological responses, and self-reported assessments of mood, focus, and executive functioning before and after the sessions.

Why it matters

Many DJs and music-makers with ADHD have long suspected that their craft helps them manage their symptoms, but this is the first study to scientifically explore the potential benefits of music-making as a non-drug therapy for ADHD. The findings could provide an alternative or complementary approach to traditional ADHD treatments, which can have side effects or wear off by the end of the day.

The details

The study drew 60 participants, mostly Virginia Tech students. Half joined an eight-session DJing workshop taught by Arthur using digital controllers and headsets donated by AlphaTheta, formerly Pioneer DJ. The other half served as a control group and watched hip-hop documentaries and music videos. Basso and her team tracked brainwave activity, physiological responses, and self-reported assessments of mood, focus, and executive functioning before and after the sessions.

  • The study launched this fall and the sessions have now wrapped up.
  • Basso's team is currently analyzing the data and preparing findings for publication.

The players

Julia Basso

An assistant professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise who directs the Embodied Brain Laboratory at Virginia Tech.

Craig Arthur

An associate professor of practice in the Academy of Transdisciplinary Studies and co-founder of VTDITC: Hip-Hop Studies at Virginia Tech, who has been DJing since he was 15 years old.

Sophia Barthlow

A Virginia Tech senior philosophy major who has ADHD and dyslexia and was one of the study participants.

Julio Gagnon

A Virginia Tech mechanical engineering major who was also a study participant and found that DJing helped him manage his ADHD.

AlphaTheta

Formerly known as Pioneer DJ, the company donated digital controllers and headsets for the DJing workshop.

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What they’re saying

“This isn't about replacing medication. ADHD medications can be effective, but they don't work for everyone. They can come with side effects, and for some people, the effects wear off by the end of the day. We're exploring whether something like DJing could be another tool people can use to manage their symptoms and support their well-being.”

— Julia Basso, Assistant Professor (virginianreview.com)

“It's basically self-care. If I go a week without DJing, I feel off. My wife notices. She'll say, 'Go spend time in the DJ room.'”

— Craig Arthur, Associate Professor of Practice (virginianreview.com)

“I get through my classwork because I know I've got DJing later. It doesn't necessarily make me more motivated to do stuff I don't care about, but it makes me feel less terrible doing it because I have something I'm really excited about.”

— Sophia Barthlow (virginianreview.com)

“It's like my brain always has too many tabs open. DJing helped me quiet the noise and channel my energy. If I can afford it, I'll probably buy my own [DJ] controller.”

— Julio Gagnon (virginianreview.com)

What’s next

If the results of the pilot study are promising, the researchers plan to seek larger research grants and expand the study to include more participants.

The takeaway

This study represents an innovative approach to exploring non-drug therapies for ADHD, recognizing the potential for creative, movement-based practices like music-making to support cognitive and emotional health. The findings could provide an alternative or complementary treatment option for individuals struggling with ADHD symptoms.