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Cited by 80Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderBehavioral and Psychological StudiesSubstance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Recent developments in the psychosocial treatment of adult ADHD

Open access
Knouse, Laura E, Cooper-Vince, Christine, Sprich, Susan, Safren, Steven A·2008·Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics
DOI 10.1586/14737175.8.10.1537PMC PMC2628311
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Abstract

Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an increasingly recognized Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV psychiatric disorder associated with significant functional impairment in multiple domains. Although stimulant and other pharmacotherapy regimens have the most empirical support as treatments for ADHD in adults, many adults with the disorder continue to experience significant residual symptoms. In the present manuscript, we review the published studies examining group and individual psychosocial treatments for adult ADHD. We include a discussion of coaching interventions and how they differ from cognitive-behavioral therapy. We conclude that the available data support the use of structured, skills-based psychosocial interventions as a viable treatment for adults with residual symptoms of ADHD. Common elements across the various treatment packages include psychoeducation, training in concrete skills (e.g., organization and planning strategies) and emphasis on outside practice and maintenance of these strategies in daily life. These treatments, however, require further study for replication, extension and refinement. Finally, we suggest future directions for the application of psychosocial treatments to the problems of adults with ADHD.

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  • Those 3 randomized controlled trials showed beneficial acute effects for cognitive behavioral approaches, but had small sample sizes, used wait-list controls, and did not examine whether gains were maintained.

    “These studies showed beneficial acute effects for cognitive behavioral approaches, but they had small sample sizes, used wait-list controls, and did not examine whether gains were maintained.”

    From Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs Relaxation With Educational Support for Medication-Treated Adults With ADHD and Persistent Symptoms (2010) · cites this paper as [5]

    The section on CBT for medication-treated adults reports a small randomized trial (n = 31) with beneficial post-treatment effects, and the group-treatment section describes a small waitlist-controlled trial. But the CBT trial compared treatment with continued medication, not a waitlist. The coaching-interventions section also reports some maintenance of gains in two waitlist-controlled studies, so the review does not support applying those limitations to all three trials. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • A recent review found only 3 randomized controlled trials of psychosocial interventions for adult ADHD.

    “Despite this need, our recent review5 found only 3 randomized controlled trials of psychosocial interventions for adult ADHD.”

    From Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs Relaxation With Educational Support for Medication-Treated Adults With ADHD and Persistent Symptoms (2010) · cites this paper as [5]

    The review describes a randomized controlled trial of CBT for adults with ADHD (Individual treatments: CBT for medication-treated adults with ADHD & residual symptoms) and says existing studies are generally uncontrolled or small randomized trials (Expert commentary & five-year view). The passages found do not establish the claimed total of only three randomized controlled trials. (LLM, conf=0.78)

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Research works printed but not linked: 21

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  10. [22]Brown TE Attention Deficit Disorder: The Unfocused Mind in Children and Adults 2005 New Haven, CT, USA Yale University Press
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Cited by

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Authors
Knouse, L. E., Cooper-Vince, C., Sprich, S., & Safren, S. A.
Affiliations
Harvard University (US)
Corresponding author
Safren, Steven A
ORCID
Venue
Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2008-10
Volume
8
Issue
10
Pages
1537-1548
ISSN
  • 1473-7175 (ISSN-L)
  • 1744-8360
DOI
10.1586/14737175.8.10.1537
PMC
PMC2628311
OpenAlex
W1965398250
Cited by
80
References
10
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 6
FWCI
0.66
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH069812, MH 069812)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Behavioral and Psychological Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
Keywords
adult ADHD, psychosocial interventions, coaching interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychoeducation, skills-based intervention, group therapy
MeSH terms
Adult, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Female, Humans, Male, Psychotherapy, Social Support

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