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
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