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.
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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
119
methylphenidate or atomoxetine
Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron
Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Post-treatment ADHD symptoms
measured by ADHD Rating Scale (clinician-administered version for the adolescent and also parent informant). It is a 18 item scale which assesses the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and rates the frequency of each item on a 4 point Likert scale.
Time frame: Post-treatment (after receiving 3 month treatment)
Post-treatment functional impairment
Assessed by Weiss Functional Impairment Scale (WFIRS) self report and parent version (an appropriate measure for functional impairment associated with ADHD) and by GAF (Global Assessment of Functioning) evaluated by a blinded rater. It is a clinician-administered measure to assess clinical severity and functioning.
Time frame: Post-treatment (after receiving 3 month treatment)
Post-treatment depression symptoms
assessed by Beck Inventory Depression Scale (BDI). It is a 21 item scale to test depression symptoms where respondents rate how they have been feeling during the past week on a 4 point Likert scale (0-3)
Time frame: Post-treatment (after receiving 3 month treatment)
Post-treatment anxiety symptoms
assessed by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. It is a 40 item scale. It differentiates between the temporary condition of "state anxiety" and the more general and long-standing quality of "trait anxiety".
Time frame: Post-treatment (after receiving 3 month treatment)
Post-treatment anger management
State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2)was used for patients between 16-21 years and STAXI-NA for 15 years-old patients. The STAXI-2 is a self-report questionnaire that measures state anger, trait anger, expression and control of anger
Time frame: Post-treatment (after receiving 3 month treatment)
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