Cited by 47Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesObsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders

Efficacy of Nonpharmacological Treatments on Comorbid Internalizing Symptoms of Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Meta-Analytic Review

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López-Pinar, Carlos, Martínez-Sanchís, Sonia, Carbonell-Vayá, Enrique, Sánchez-Meca, Julio, Fenollar-Cortés, Javier·2020·Journal of Attention Disorders

Abstract

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is highly comorbid in adulthood. This meta-analysis was aimed at ascertaining the efficacy of different psychotherapies in improving comorbid internalizing symptoms in adults with ADHD. Method: Twenty randomized controlled trials and 12 uncontrolled pretest–posttest studies were included and combined using the inverse variance method. Risk of bias and heterogeneity assessment and moderator analyses were performed. Results: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) improved quality of life (QoL), emotional dysregulation (ED), depression, and anxiety symptoms, particularly at follow-up, which was predicted by core symptoms reduction. A significant between-group effect was obtained only on QoL, ED, and self-esteem for dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based therapies (MBTs), and neurofeedback, respectively. Conclusion: Results support CBT efficacy for treating comorbid internalizing symptoms. More research is needed to determine the effectiveness of DBT, MBT, and neurofeedback. The small number of studies evaluating some therapies and the high risk of bias observed might limit these results.

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Crossref · 10.1177/1087054719855685

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  • Psychoeducation fosters self-advocacy, treatment adherence, and reduced stigma.

    “This understanding fosters self-advocacy, treatment adherence, and reduced stigma [166].”

    From ADHD in Adulthood: Clinical Presentation, Comorbidities, and Treatment Perspectives (2025) · cites this paper as [166]

    The discussion on p. 458 describes psychoeducation as providing information about ADHD, but does not say it fosters self-advocacy, treatment adherence, or reduced stigma. Searches for those outcomes found no passage addressing them in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.72)

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Authors
López-Pinar, C., Martínez-Sanchís, S., Carbonell-Vayá, E., Sánchez-Meca, J., & Fenollar-Cortés, J.
Affiliations
  • Universitat de València (ES)
  • University of Valencia, Spain
  • University of Murcia, Spain
  • Universidad Loyola Andalucía (ES)
Corresponding author
López-Pinar, Carlos
Venue
Journal of Attention Disorders
Published
2019-06-13
Volume
24
Issue
3
Pages
456-478
ISSN
  • 1087-0547 (ISSN-L)
  • 1557-1246
OpenAlex
W2949541970
Cited by
47
References
163
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1
FWCI
1.79
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Attention Disorders (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Repository of Digital Objects for Teaching Research and Culture (University of Valencia) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
Universitat de València
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
Keywords
adult ADHD, non-pharmacological treatment, psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, neurofeedback, quality of life, emotional dysregulation, depression, anxiety, self-esteem
MeSH terms
Adult, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Humans, Quality of Life, Comorbidity, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Neurofeedback

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