Behaviour Research and Therapy

Volume 49, Issue 3, March 2011, Pages 175–185

Reduced ADHD symptoms in adults with ADHD after structured skills training group: Results from a randomized controlled trial

  • a Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Centre for Molecular Medicine L8:02, Karolinska Institute/Karolinska University Hospital, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
  • b Neuropsychiatric Unit Karolinska, Psychiatry Northwest, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
  • c Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Karolinska Institute and Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
Received 19 August 2010
Revised 27 December 2010
Accepted 4 January 2011
Available online 14 January 2011

Abstract

Objective

Feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) -based method developed in Germany were evaluated in a Swedish outpatient psychiatric context.

Method

Fifty-one adults with ADHD on stable medical treatment or on no medication were randomized to the DBT-based skills training (n = 26) or a parallel loosely structured discussion group (n = 25). Self-rating scales were administered before randomization and after the treatment.

Results

Feasibility and participant satisfaction were good in both groups while skills training was perceived as more logical and effective for ADHD-related problems. The analyses of the individuals who completed the treatment and remained stable with regard to medication (n = 19 in skills training; n = 18 in control group) showed a significant reduction in ADHD symptoms in the skills training group, but not in the control group. No reduction of comorbidity was observed in any of the groups.

Conclusions

The treatment was feasible in an outpatient psychiatric context, well tolerated, and significantly reduced ADHD symptoms in on-treatment individuals who remained stable regarding medication status.

Keywords

  • ADHD;
  • Adults;
  • Psychotherapy;
  • Dialectical behavior therapy;
  • Cognitive behavior therapy;
  • Group therapy;
  • Treatment

Figures and tables from this article:

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Fig. 1. A flowchart of the recruiting process and the participants in the study.

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Fig. 2. Participants in both groups were satisfied with the treatment. Participants in the skills training group reported significantly more often that their ability to cope with ADHD- related problems had increased, while the controls scored higher on the item regarding the possibility of making their own suggestions concerning the discussions during the sessions. Note: ∗p ≤ 0.05.

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Fig. 3. On the Treatment Credibility Scale, the skills training group scored higher on three items out of five after treatment. Note: ∗p ≤ 0.05; The item wordings after adjustment to the current study were (1) How logical does this type of group seem to you?; (2) How confident are you that this kind of group will be successful in reducing your ADHD-related problems?; (3) How confident would you be in recommending this type of group to a friend with ADHD?; (4) How successful do you feel this type of group would be in treatments of other kinds of problems?; (5) How much improved do you expect that you will be from participation in this kind of group?.

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