Which Techniques Work in Behavioral Parent Training for Children with ADHD? A Randomized Controlled Microtrial

Behavioral parent training (BPT) is an evidence-based intervention for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but little is known about the effects of separate techniques parents learn in BPT.

In a three-armed randomized controlled microtrial including parents of 92 children (4-12 years) with ADHD, we examined the efficacy of two sessions parent training involving either stimulus control techniques (antecedent-based condition (AC)) or contingency management techniques (consequent-based condition (CC)), compared to a waitlist. Primary outcome was daily parent-rated problem behaviors, secondary outcomes were parent-rated symptoms of ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and mental health-care consumption. Measures were completed at baseline (T0), immediately after the training (T1), at two weeks (T2) and three months (T3) follow-up. We also explored whether child and parent characteristics moderated treatment effects.

Compared to the waitlist, in the AC, daily rated problem behaviors improved at T1 (d= .56) and T2 (d= .65); in the CC, these behaviors only improved at T2 (d= .53). Daily rated problem behaviors within both conditions remained stable between T2 and T3. In the AC compared to the other conditions, inattention symptoms decreased at T1 and T2. For both active conditions compared to waitlist, hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms decreased only at T2 and ODD symptoms did not decrease. No moderators were identified. Mental health-care consumption after training was low and did not differ between the active conditions.

Brief training of parents in antecedent- or consequent-based techniques improves problem behaviors of children with ADHD. Antecedent-based techniques appear to be especially important to target inattention.