Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Treatment of Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Not Applicable

Completed

Interventions: Other: Relaxation techniques and education about ADHD
Behavioral: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

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

Detailed Description: 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.

Recruitment & Eligibility

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

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Relaxation with Educational Support	Relaxation techniques and education about ADHD	Applied relaxation plus educational support (RES).
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy	Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)	Participants will receive cognitive-behavioral therapy following our protocol.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Post-treatment ADHD Symptoms	post-treatment (after receiving 12 sessions of treatment)	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.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Maintenance of Gains in CBT Condition	12 month follow-up (12 months after baseline assessment)	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.