Cognitive-behavioural interventions for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a developmental condition impacting adults, affecting social interactions, academic, and occupational performance.
• Core symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and executive function deficits.
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a potential treatment, aiming to modify maladaptive thoughts and behaviors and improve emotional regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically assess the efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases and trials registries up to June 2017.
• Included were 14 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 700 adult participants with ADHD.
• Comparisons included CBT as monotherapy or adjunct treatment versus control conditions or other interventions.

Main Results:

• CBT demonstrated significant benefits for clinician-reported ADHD symptoms compared to waiting lists and other ADHD-specific interventions.
• CBT combined with pharmacotherapy showed greater efficacy than pharmacotherapy alone for core ADHD symptoms and inattention.
• Improvements were also observed in self-reported depression and anxiety when using CBT, particularly in combination with pharmacotherapy.

Conclusions:

• Low-quality evidence suggests short-term benefits of CBT for adult ADHD, improving core symptoms and secondary issues like depression and anxiety.
• Consistent symptom reduction was noted in comparisons of CBT plus pharmacotherapy versus pharmacotherapy alone, and CBT versus waiting lists.
• Limitations include low evidence quality, heterogeneity of outcomes, limited geographical scope, and lack of long-term follow-up data.