Adult ADHD
Visual Abstract
Cognitive behavioral therapy vs relaxation with educational support for medication-treated adults with ADHD and persistent symptoms: a randomized controlled trial
CBT vs. Relaxation for Adult ADHD
Steven A Safren , Susan Sprich, Matthew J Mimiaga, Craig Surman, Laura Knouse, Meghan Groves, Michael W Otto
Summarized by:
April 23, 2023
study source
JAMA
Aug 2010
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What they studied
This study wanted to see if adding cognitive behavioral therapy can enhance ADHD treatment when used alongside standard therapies.
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What they found
Both types of therapy led to improvements, but cognitive behavioral therapy led to a significantly greater improvement in ADHD symptoms and general well-being.
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What this means
Cognitive behavioral therapy may be a good addition to medication to improve ADHD outcomes.
Cognitive behavioral therapy vs relaxation with educational support for medication-treated adults with ADHD and persistent symptoms: a randomized controlled trial
Objectives
ADHD is one of the most common mental health conditions in the world. It is typically treated with medication, but medication doesn’t work for everyone. Medications can reduce symptoms but can’t get rid of them completely for many patients.
This study wanted to see if cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce ADHD symptoms when used alongside medication.
Study Quote
Context: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adulthood is a prevalent, distressing, and impairing condition that is not fully treated by pharmacotherapy alone and lacks evidence-based psychosocial treatments. Objective: To test cognitive behavioral therapy for ADHD in adu...
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Methods
To test the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy in ADHD, researchers ran a small clinical trial comparing cognitive behavioral therapy with relaxation therapy as a control group. By analyzing the differences in outcomes between the group, researchers can estimate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy.
The researchers used a CBT program optimized for ADHD. Like most CBT programs, the program aims to provide skills and training to patients to help them manage their symptoms.
A clinical trial found that CBT could improve outcomes for adults with ADHD, even when used alongside medication. The following program was tested and validated in the study:
Study Quote
Design, setting, and patients: Randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for 86 symptomatic adults with ADHD who were already being treated with medication. The study was conducted at a US hospital between November 2004 and June 2008 (follow-up wa...
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Results
Researchers found that those with CBT experienced significantly less severe ADHD symptoms and improved overall well-being.
Those randomized to receive CBT were much more likely to experience significant reductions in their ADHD symptoms than those who received relaxation therapy.
Study Quote
Cognitive behavioral therapy achieved lower posttreatment scores on both the Clinical Global Impression scale (magnitude -0.0531; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.01 to -0.05; P = .03) and the ADHD rating scale (magnitude -4.631; 95% CI, -8.30 to -0.963; P = .02) compared with relaxation...
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Conclusions
Generally, therapy and psychiatric support are helpful when dealing with mental illness.
These results suggest that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be a particularly powerful tool in treating ADHD.
Study Quote
Among adults with persistent ADHD symptoms treated with medication, the use of cognitive behavioral therapy compared with relaxation with educational support resulted in improved ADHD symptoms, which were maintained at 12 months.