Effects of Playtraining in ADHD Preschoolers on ADHD Symptoms and Play Persistence and Intensity

University of Cologne

Status: Unknown

Conditions: ADHD

Treatments: Behavioral: Placebo open play session; Behavioral: Experimental: playtraining

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01795053

playtrainingADHD

Details and patient eligibility

About

A sample of 60 children is randomly assigned to an intervention and a control condition. The intervention group receives 15 sessions of child-focused treatment with play training to enhance play persistence and intensity. The control group receives the same amount of placebo play sessions. The intervention group receives subsequently 15 sessions of parent training. All children are 3 to 6 years old and meet diagnostic criteria for ADD or ADHD. Main hypothesis are a stronger reduction of ADHD symptoms of the child in different settings in the intervention than in the control group. Play-persistence and -intensity should also increase more in the intervention group. An additional effect of a subsequent parent training shall furthermore be tested.

Enrollment: 60 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 3 to 6 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of ADHD or combinde ADHD/ ODD, age 3 to 6, 5 Items regarding play behavior on DSM-IV symptom checklist above 95th percentile, parents motivation to provide 15 to 30 weekly sessions

Exclusion Criteria: Autism Spectrum Disorder, IQ below 80, massive actual impairment, that requests sudden in-patient treatment, school entry in less than 2 months

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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60 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

playtraining

Experimental group

Description:

playtraining is a play based intervention that includes techniques of behavioral management as: structuring of play situation, detailled play planning, definition of behavioral tasks, positive reinforcement, token economy. The intervention is designed to enhance play-persistence and intensity and thereby reduce ADHD symptoms

Treatment:

Behavioral: Experimental: playtraining

open play session

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

the open play sessions are conducted in the same rooms, by the same staff and in the same time frame as the experimental sessions. The therapist plays with the child without structuring the sitauation through behavioral tecniques. The play situation is designed to be ineresting and comfortable for the child.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Placebo open play session