Web-Based Stress Management for Working Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Single-Arm, Open...

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Digital Health Interventions
• Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Research

Background:

• Multimodal treatment guidelines for adult ADHD recommend combining pharmacotherapy with psychological interventions.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) shows promise for adult ADHD, but access to psychological interventions remains a challenge.
• Internet-delivered CBT offers a scalable approach to increase access to psychological support for adults with ADHD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and effects of a guided web-based stress management program for working adults with ADHD.
• To assess the intervention's impact on quality of life, stress, exhaustion, anxiety, and depression in adults with ADHD.

Main Methods:

• A single-arm open trial involving 36 working adults with ADHD.
• A 12-module web-based intervention based on CBT principles, with on-demand clinician support.
• Assessments included quality of life (AAQoL), perceived stress (PSS-10), exhaustion (KEDS), anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), and ADHD symptoms (ASRS).

Main Results:

• Statistically and clinically significant improvements were observed in quality of life (d=0.84) and ADHD symptoms (d=0.98).
• Significant reductions in perceived stress (d=0.83), exhaustion (d=1.12), anxiety (d=1.70), and depression (d=1.25) were noted.
• Improvements were sustained at 12-week follow-up, with high participant satisfaction and adherence.

Conclusions:

• Guided web-delivered interventions show promise for addressing the needs of adults with ADHD.
• Further research and controlled studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
• This approach may enhance the accessibility of psychological interventions for adult ADHD.