MyADHD - a self-guided Internet-delivered intervention for adults with ADHD: results from a randomized controlled trial
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adulthood, with an estimated prevalence of 2 – 3 %, is associated with several challenges in daily life functioning. The availability of evidence-based psychological interventions for adults with ADHD is still poor. Interventions delivered over the Internet on smartphones or personal computers may help to increase the availability of effective psychological interventions. The primary aim of this randomized controlled trial was to examine the efficacy of a self-guided Internet-delivered intervention on severity levels of ADHD symptomatology and quality of life.
120 participants with a self-reported ADHD diagnosis were included in a randomized controlled trial with two arms: 1) self-guided Internet-delivered intervention for coping with ADHD (N=59); 2) self-guided online psychoeducation (control group, N=59). After 3 months of WL, the control group received access to the intervention. The primary clinical outcomes were inattention and quality of life. Secondary clinical outcomes were hyperactivity, stress and depression. Measures were obtained at three time points: before (baseline), immediately after (8 weeks) and 3 months after the intervention. Uptake, usage, adherence and satisfaction was explored.
The participants receiving the MyADHD intervention improved their average scores on the self-report scale for ADHD symptoms and improved their quality of life, which were significantly larger improvements than found in the psycho-education control group at both 8 weeks and 3 months.
This RCT provides valuable information on the clinical effectiveness of an Internet-delivered intervention for adults with ADHD. This study is, to our knowledge, one of the first randomized control trials that investigated the effects of a self-guided Internet-delivered psychological intervention in a large group of adults with ADHD.
Robin Kenter, Department of clinical psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, PhD.
Medforfattere: Rolf Gjestad, Centre for Crisis Psychology Faculty of Psychology, UiB, Astri Lundervold, Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, UiB, Tine Nordgreen, Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital.