R&R2 Treatment of ADHD & Antisocial Behavior
A Randomized Evaluation
2011
Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not fully treated by
psychopharmacological treatment alone. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the benefits of adding to psychopharmacological therapy a cognitive behavior therapy (CBT ) group program - the Reasoning and Rehabilitation for ADHD Youths and Adults (R&R2ADHD). The program was developed through an international (U.K./Canada) collaboration (www.cognitivecentre.ca).
psychopharmacological treatment alone. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the benefits of adding to psychopharmacological therapy a cognitive behavior therapy (
Method: 54 adults with ADHD receiving psychopharmacological treatment were randomly allocated to an experimental treatment condition that included R&R2ADHD (n = 27) or to a ‘treatment as usual’ control condition (n = 27) that did not receive the R&R2ADHD program.
Outcome: Measures were obtained 1. before treatment (baseline); 2. after treatment; and 3. at three month follow-up. The measures included a) ratings by independent assessors on ADHD symptoms and impairments; b) self-reported current ADHD symptoms; c) comorbid/associated problems including anxiety, depression, mood instability, antisocial behavior and social functioning.
Results:
- Medium to large positive treatment effects of the R&R2ADHD program after treatment were found for symptoms of ADHD and antisocial behavior.
- The magnitude of these effects was even greater at three month follow-up - large positive treatment effects were found for ADHD symptoms,, impairments, and comorbid/associated problems including antisocial behavior.
Conclusions:
The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of R&R2ADHD in reducing ADHD symptoms, improving functions associated with impairment, and reducing antisocial behavior.
Implications:
- R&R2ADHD benefits are robust and multifaceted
- Combined psychopharmacological and R&R2ADHD treatment can improve the benefits of pharmacological interventions.
Reference: Emilsson, B., Gudjonsson, G., Sigurdsson, J.F., Einarsson, E., Baldursson, G., Olafsdottir, H. & Young., S. (2011). “R&R2 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy in Medication-Treated Adults with ADHD and Persistent Symptoms: A randomized controlled trial”. BMC Psychiatry 11:116 doi:10.1186/1471-244X-11-116. Link (cut and paste into your browser): http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-244X/11/116
Program information: www.cognitivecentre.ca
