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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Adults: A Large Study Assessing Effective Treatments
A new study has shed light on the most effective treatments for adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The study, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, analyzed 113 published and unpublished randomized controlled trials involving nearly 14,900 adult participants.
The researchers, led by Dr. Samuele Cortese, professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Southampton, found that stimulant medications, such as lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate, and atomoxetine (an antidepressant) were more effective than placebos in reducing core ADHD symptoms over a 12-week period.
The study also looked at non-pharmacological treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive remediation, mindfulness, psychoeducation, and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). While these treatments were also found to be more effective than placebos in reducing symptoms, the effectiveness varied between clinicians’ and patients’ ratings.
The study’s findings highlight the need for more long-term studies on various treatment options and combinations, particularly among adults. The authors noted that while there are effective interventions for adults with ADHD, there are still uncertainties around the best treatment approach.
Dr. Philip Shaw, professor at King’s College London, commented that the study shows that there are effective interventions for adults with ADHD, but also highlights “big gaps in our knowledge.” Dr. Margaret Sibley, clinical psychologist and professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, noted that treatment studies are limited by their short duration and lack of research on certain factors.
The study’s results may be limited by the fact that most treatment trials were less than three months long, and the analysis was limited to data from 26 and 52 weeks. Nevertheless, the findings have significant implications for the treatment of adult ADHD, emphasizing the importance of personalized care that combines pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches.
The University of Washington’s Sibley noted that non-pharmacological treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, are designed to teach coping skills and reduce the impact of symptoms on daily life, rather than directly reducing core symptoms. Dr. Alessio Bellato, lecturer at the University of Southampton, added that the study’s findings may be limited by the subjective nature of self-perceived ADHD symptoms.