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Effects of Structured Skills Training Group in Treatment of ADHD in Adults

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Interventions
Behavioral: Structural skills training group
Other: Treatment as usual
Registration Number
NCT02685254
Lead Sponsor
University of Oslo
Brief Summary

This study aims to examine if structured skills training group therapy for ADHD in adults has beneficial effects superior to 'treatment as usual' including medication in a controlled outpatient setting on clinically relevant outcomes including symptoms, functioning and quality of life measures.

The trial is designed as a multicenter randomized controlled, parallel group study. Patients are randomized into 1 of 2 treatment arms with 14-week duration: one arm with initial intervention by structured skills training groups by weekly sessions or one with control condition (treatment as usual). Then after 15 weeks patients in the control condition arm are switched to the active intervention by 14 weeks of structured group therapy. All patients are assessed for defined outcomes after six months.

Detailed Description

Background: The focus in recent years on evidence for non-pharmacological treatment in adults with ADHD raises the question of potential effects of structured group therapy. Structured skills training groups have shown beneficial effects in some studies in an outpatient psychiatric context by reduction in ADHD symptoms in individuals who remained stable regarding medication status.

Aims: The main objective for the trial is to investigate the potential effects of structured skills training groups in a clinically relevant but still controlled setting on broader outcomes including both symptomatic, functional and health related quality of life measures.

Methods/Design: The trial is designed as a multicenter randomized controlled parallel group design. At each outpatient site the enrolled patients are randomized into two groups for either Group 1 (G1) with start of weekly treatment in active structured skills training group lasting for 14 weeks or allocated to Group 2 (G2) with treatment as usual/clinical management and with 15 weeks delayed start of their group treatment for comparison wth patients in the other arm. Those patients in the control condition arm receiving treatment as usual or clinical management of individual patients (G2), are thereafter switched to active structured skills training group therapy.All patients are followed up after six months with assessments of primary and secondary outcomes.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
120
Inclusion Criteria
  • Diagnosis of ADHD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th. Edition (DSM-IV) persisting in adulthood
Exclusion Criteria
  • Any psychotic disorder
  • Recently suicidal behaviour
  • Substance or alcohol abuse or dependence within three months prior to screening for inclusion
  • Pervasive developmental disorder
  • Intellectual disability
  • Seizures or any neurological diseases causing mental handicap

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Initial group therapyStructural skills training group'Structural skills training group' - Start up with weekly structured skills training group for 14 weeks supplemented by homework training
Initial control conditionTreatment as usualTreatment as usual/clinical management the first 15 weeks pending deferred start of group therapy (partially cross-over)
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Functions (BRIEF)two years

Change in executive function impairments

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Adult ADHD self-report scale (ASRSv1.1), 18 items versiontwo years

Change in ADHD symptoms

Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)two years

Change in depressive symptoms

Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)two years

Change in anxiety symptoms

Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale, self-report (WIFRS)two years

Change in functional impairments

Global Assessment of functioning (GAF)two years

Change in global symptoms and functioning

Adult ADHD Quality of Life Scale (AAQoL)two years

Change in quality of life

Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)two years

Change in emotional regulation

Safety issue - Monitoring of adverse eventstwo years

Monitoring of adverse events

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Vestfold Hospital Trust

🇳🇴

Tønsberg, Norway

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