Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Treatment of Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Massachusetts General Hospital86 enrolled

Overview

This study will determine the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy in treating adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), previously believed to be a disorder of childhood, affects as many as 5 percent of adults. Adults with ADHD are at high risk for academic and occupational underachievement, relationship difficulties, and reduced quality of life. This study will determine whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is more effective than ADHD education and relaxation techniques in treating adults with ADHD. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive 12 to 15 weekly sessions of either CBT or training in which they will learn relaxation techniques and receive detailed information about ADHD. Questionnaires will be used to assess participants' ADHD symptoms at study entry and at study completion. The study is being conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and requires 5 assessment visits and 12 weekly therapy visits. Participants must be able to travel to Boston on a weekly basis in order to participate in the study. Study hypothesis: CBT is a more efficacious treatment for adult ADHD than education and relaxation techniques.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity

Interventions

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)BEHAVIORAL

Participants are provided with education about ADHD and instruction in organizational skills, reducing distractibility, and adaptive thinking.

Relaxation techniques and education about ADHDOTHER

Participants are provided with education about ADHD, instruction in relaxation techniques, and support in applying relaxation techniques to ADHD symptoms.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of adult ADHD of at least mild clinical severity (CGI score of 3 or greater) * Stable on medications for adult ADHD for at least 2 months * Between 18 and 65 years old * Be able to give informed consent and comply with study procedures Exclusion Criteria: * Moderate to severe major depression, clinically significant panic disorder (CGI for depression or panic greater than 4), bipolar disorder, organic mental disorders, psychotic disorders, or pervasive developmental disorders * Active suicidality (HAM-D suicidality item rated 3 or 4) * Current substance abuse or dependence * IQ less than 90 * Suicide risk * Prior participation in cognitive behavioral therapy for ADHD

Locations (1)

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Post-treatment ADHD Symptoms

ADHD symptom severity as measured by the ADHD rating scale (DuPaul, et al., 1998) a scale that ranges from 0-54 with 0 indicating lower severity.

Time frame: post-treatment (after receiving 12 sessions of treatment)

Secondary Outcomes

Maintenance of Gains in CBT Condition

maintenance of gains in CBT condition for those who responded or partially responded as measured by the ADHD symptom severity as measured by the ADHD rating scale (DuPaul, et al., 1998) a scale that ranges from 0-54 with 0 indicating lower severity.

Time frame: 12 month follow-up (12 months after baseline assessment)

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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