Adult ADHD
Visual Abstract
Reduced ADHD symptoms in adults with ADHD after structured skills training group: results from a randomized controlled trial
ADHD and Skills Training Therapy
Tatja Hirvikoski , Else Waaler, Julia Alfredsson, Cecilia Pihlgren, Annelie Holmström, Anna Johnson, Johanna Rück, Camilla Wiwe, Pernilla Bothén, Anna-Lena Nordström
Summarized by:
May 9, 2023
study source
Behav Res Ther
May 2011
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What they studied
This study wanted to see if skills-focused therapy effectively treats ADHD in adults.
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What they found
Adults randomly assigned to receive skills-based training were likelier to experience improvements in their ADHD symptoms than the control group.
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What this means
This confirms the effectiveness of therapy as a treatment for ADHD and suggests that providing coping skills may be a key part of effective therapy.
Reduced ADHD symptoms in adults with ADHD after structured skills training group: results from a randomized controlled trial
Objectives
Several studies have shown the effectiveness of therapy as a treatment for ADHD:
This study wanted to see whether therapy focused on providing and training skills for dealing with ADHD could improve ADHD symptoms in adults.
Study Quote
Feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) -based method developed in Germany were evaluated in a Swedish outpatient psychiatric context.
Methods
Researchers randomly assigned adults with ADHD to join the structured skills-focused therapy program or a discussion group. The discussion group served as the control group for comparison purposes.
Researchers used a standardized therapy protocol with built-in time for repetition and feedback.
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The groups were chaired by two clinical psychologists trained in CBT (a few being trained in DBT as well), who were supervised by a clinical psychologist/licensed psychotherapist trained in both CBT and DBT. The 2-h sessions always followed the same structure: after a short repetition and opportunity to give feedback on the previous session, homework was reviewed during the first hour. After a break, a new topic and homework for the following week were introduced.
They measured success by surveying participants on ADHD symptoms before and after the treatments.
Study Quote
Fifty-one adults with ADHD on stable medical treatment or on no medication were randomized to the DBT-based skills training (n=26) or a parallel loosely structured discussion group (n=25). Self-rating scales were administered before randomization and after the treatment.
Results
Researchers found that around a third of participants who received the skills-focused therapy program experienced a substantial decrease in their ADHD symptoms. These results showed that skills-focused therapy was significantly more effective than the control discussion group.
Participants in the therapy group were also more likely to feel that they were better at coping with ADHD and were more likely to recommend the program to a friend.
Study Quote
Feasibility and participant satisfaction were good in both groups while skills training was perceived as more logical and effective for ADHD-related problems. The analyses of the individuals who completed the treatment and remained stable with regard to medication (n=19 in skills trainin...
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Conclusions
These results show that skills-based therapy programs are an effective treatment for ADHD. They can lead to substantial improvements in ADHD symptoms and are generally appreciated and recommended by patients.
Therapy programs can be used alongside medication. The combination of medication and therapy may be more effective than medication alone.
Study Quote
The treatment was feasible in an outpatient psychiatric context, well tolerated, and significantly reduced ADHD symptoms in on-treatment individuals who remained stable regarding medication status.