title: Pilot randomized controlled trial of dialectical behavior therapy group skills training for ADHD among college students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  ADHD affects between 2% and 8% of college students and is associated with broad functional impairment. No prior randomized controlled trials with this population have been published. The present study is a pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) group skills training adapted for college students with ADHD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-three undergraduates with ADHD between ages 18 and 24 were randomized to receive either DBT group skills training or skills handouts during an 8-week intervention phase. ADHD symptoms, executive functioning (EF), and related outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants receiving DBT group skills training showed greater treatment response rates (59-65% vs. 19-25%) and clinical recovery rates (53-59% vs. 6-13%) on ADHD symptoms and EF, and greater improvements in quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DBT group skills training may be efficacious, acceptable, and feasible for treating ADHD among college students. A larger randomized trial is needed for further evaluation.
authors.affiliation: University of Washington, Seattle, USA fleming3@uw.edu.
authors.forename: Andrew P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.affiliation: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada Child & Family Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.affiliation: University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
authors.forename: Lyndsey R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.affiliation: University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
authors.forename: A Paige
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.affiliation: University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dreessen
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D056344:Executive Function; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D064866:Mindfulness; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: adult ADHD treatment; college students; dialectical behavior therapy; executive functioning; mindfulness