Parent training interventions for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children aged 5 to 18 years

Area of Science:

• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Child Psychology
• Behavioral Interventions

Background:

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, causing significant impairment.
• Parent training programs are psychosocial interventions designed to equip parents with strategies for managing challenging child behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of parent training interventions in reducing ADHD symptoms and associated problems in children aged 5-18 years.
• To compare parent training outcomes against control groups receiving no parent training intervention.

Main Methods:

• A systematic search of multiple electronic databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, DAI, mRCT) was conducted up to September 2010.
• Included studies were randomized or quasi-randomized trials comparing parent training with no treatment, waiting list, or treatment as usual.
• Five studies with 284 participants were included, with data extraction and risk of bias assessment performed by multiple authors.

Main Results:

• Mixed findings were reported for child behavior problems; two studies showed no difference, while two reported positive results for parent training.
• Meta-analysis indicated a non-significant effect on externalizing behaviors (SMD -0.32) but a significant reduction in internalizing behaviors (SMD -0.48).
• Parent training showed statistically significant improvements in parenting skills and reduced parental stress in the 'child' domain (MD -10.52).

Conclusions:

• Parent training may positively impact ADHD children's behavior, reduce parental stress, and enhance confidence, but evidence quality is a concern.
• Data on ADHD-specific behaviors are ambiguous, and crucial outcomes like academic achievement and adverse effects lack sufficient data.
• Current evidence is insufficient for clinical practice guidelines; future research requires improved reporting of study procedures and outcomes.