Structured group psychotherapy in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: results of an open multicentre study.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a serious mental disorder that often persists in adulthood. In a pilot study, a structured skills training group program for adult ADHD led to significant symptomatic improvements. The present study evaluated the program's effectiveness, feasibility, and patient acceptability in a multicenter setting. Seventy-two adult ADHD patients were assigned to 13 two-hour weekly sessions at 4 different therapy sites. The therapy was well tolerated and led to significant improvements of ADHD, depressive symptoms, and personal health status (p < 0.001). The factors treatment site and medication did not contribute to the overall improvement. Patients regarded the program topics "behavioral analyses," "mindfulness," and "emotion regulation" as the most helpful. In this multicenter study, the therapy program showed therapist-independent effects and seemed to be disorder-specific. This warrants the effort of organizing further controlled studies.
Philipsen
Alexandra
A
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Freiburg Medical School, Freiburg, Germany. alexandra.philipsen@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Richter
Harald
H
Peters
Julia
J
Alm
Barbara
B
Sobanski
Esther
E
Colla
Michael
M
Münzebrock
Mirka
M
Scheel
Corinna
C
Jacob
Christian
C
Perlov
Evgeniy
E
Tebartz van Elst
Ludger
L
Hesslinger
Bernd
B
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001364:Awareness; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs