Work

Efficacy of Nonpharmacological Treatments on Comorbid Internalizing Symptoms of Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Meta-Analytic Review

Year: 2019

Type: review

Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis

Abstract: Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is highly comorbid in adulthood. This meta-analysis was aimed at ascertaining the efficacy of different psychotherapies in improving comorbid internalizing symptoms in adults with ADHD. Method: Twenty randomized controlled trials and 12 uncontrolled pretest–posttest studies were included and combined using the inverse variance method. Risk of bias and heterogeneity assessment and moderator analyses were performed. Results: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) improved quality of life (QoL), emotional dysregulation (ED), depression, and anxiety symptoms, particularly at follow-up, which was predicted by core symptoms reduction. A significant between-group effect was obtained only on QoL, ED, and self-esteem for dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based therapies (MBTs), and neurofeedback, respectively. Conclusion: Results support CBT efficacy for treating comorbid internalizing symptoms. More research is needed to determine the effectiveness of DBT, MBT, and neurofeedback. The small number of studies evaluating some therapies and the high risk of bias observed might limit these results.

Source: Journal of Attention Disorders

DOI: 10.1177/1087054719855685

Authors: Carlos López-Pinar, Sonia Martínez-Sanchís, Enrique Carbonell-Vayá, Julio Sánchez-Meca, Javier Fenollar-Cortés

Institutions: Universitat de València, Universidad de Murcia, Universidad Loyola Andalucía

Language: English

Topic: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: Universitat de València