CBT Group for Adolescents With ADHD: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (HUVH)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Treatments: Behavioral: CBT group; Drug: Psychopharmacological treatment

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02172183

CBT-RV

Details and patient eligibility

About

This is the first randomized controlled study that tests the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBT) on adolescents with ADHD who were in pharmacological treatment but still presented persistent symptoms.

Full description

A multicenter, randomized rater-blinded controlled trial was carried out in a sample of 119 adolescents (15-21 years) and was conducted between April 2012- May 2014. Patients were randomly assigned to 12 group manualized cognitive-behavioural group therapy sessions (n=45) or a waiting list control group (N=44). Primary outcomes were assessed by a blind evaluator (ADHD Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impression Scale for Severity, Global Assessment Functioning) before and after treatment as well as by self-report and parent informant ratings.

Enrollment: 119 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 15 to 21 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• DSM-IV ADHD diagnosis
• age between 15 and 21 years
• stabilized doses of medication for ADHD for at least 2 months prior to the study
• agreement not to seek out any other psychiatric or psychological treatment during the study.

Exclusion criteria

• affective disorders
• anxiety disorders
• psychotic disorders
• personality disorders
• substance use disorders in the past 6 months
• pervasive developmental disorder
• patients with an IQ lower than 85
• patients receiving concurrent psychological interventions.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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119 participants in 2 patient groups

CBT group

Experimental group

Description:

This group consist on a combined intervention: CBT group + psychopharmacological treatment. The group program was based on cognitive-behavioral principles and also motivational interviewing techniques to facilitate skills implementation. The treatment comprised 12 manualized sessions with an inattention module and an impulsivity module.

Treatment:

Behavioral: CBT group

Psychopharmacological treatment

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants were only visited to monitor their adherence and continuation on medications for ADHD (methylphenidate or atomoxetine) as prescribed by their psychiatrist.

Treatment:

Drug: Psychopharmacological treatment