Effect of Treating Anxiety Disorders on Cognitive Deficits and Behaviors Associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Preliminary Study.
Twenty-five percent of children with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder (AD). As per Quay and in light of Barkley's model, anxiety may have a protective effect on cognitive deficits and behaviors associated with ADHD. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of treating AD on cognitive deficits and behaviors associated with ADHD in children with both disorders. Twenty-four children with ADHD and AD were divided into two groups: treatment for AD, and wait list. Participants were assessed at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up with the ADIS-C, the CBCL, and neuropsychological measures. The results revealed a significant improvement in automatic response inhibition and flexibility, and a decrease in inattention/hyperactivity behaviors following the treatment for AD. No significant differences were observed in motor response inhibition, working memory, or attention deficits. The results do not seem to support Quay's hypothesis: treating AD did not exacerbate cognitive deficits and behaviors associated with ADHD in our sample.
Department of Psychology, University of Quebec in Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada. isabelle.denis@psy.ulaval.ca.|Research Center, Lévis University-Affiliated Hospital, CSSS Alphonse-Desjardins, 143 Wolfe Street, Lévis, QC, G6V 3Z1, Canada. isabelle.denis@psy.ulaval.ca.|School of Psychology, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada. isabelle.denis@psy.ulaval.ca.
Isabelle
I
Denis
Department of Psychology, University of Quebec in Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.|Attention Disorders Clinic, Rivière-des-Prairies Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.|Montreal University Institute Youth Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Marie-Claude
MC
Guay
Research Center, Lévis University-Affiliated Hospital, CSSS Alphonse-Desjardins, 143 Wolfe Street, Lévis, QC, G6V 3Z1, Canada.|School of Psychology, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada.
Guillaume
G
Foldes-Busque
Research Center, Lévis University-Affiliated Hospital, CSSS Alphonse-Desjardins, 143 Wolfe Street, Lévis, QC, G6V 3Z1, Canada.|Psychiatry Department, Sainte-Justine Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Leila
L
BenAmor
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Anxiety disorders; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Cognitive-behavioral therapy; Executive functions; Response inhibition