Work

Effectiveness of a blended online behavioral parent training program for Vietnamese parents of children with ADHD: A randomized controlled trial with 3‐month follow‐up

Year: 2026

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: Background Behavioral parent training (BPT) is an evidence‐based intervention for children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); however, evidence from low‐ and middle‐income Asian countries remains scarce. This randomized controlled trial evaluated a culturally adapted blended BPT program for Vietnamese parents of elementary school‐aged children with ADHD. Methods Eighty‐six parents of children (6–11 years) with a clinician‐confirmed DSM‐5 diagnosis of ADHD were randomized to a blended BPT program ( n = 43) or treatment as usual plus psychoeducational materials ( n = 43). The intervention comprised six weekly 2‐h online group sessions, each followed within the same week by a 1‐h individual home‐based support session, and 12 weekly support telephone calls across a 3‐month maintenance period. Parenting skills (Parenting Skills Assessment Scale), parent‐rated child ADHD symptoms (Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Parent Rating Scale), and parenting stress were assessed at baseline (T1), post‐intervention (T2), and 3‐month follow‐up (T3). The analyses included 80 participants with complete data (intervention, n = 37; control, n = 43). Results Parenting skills improved substantially in the intervention group relative to the control group (group × time interaction: F (2, 156) = 20.75, p < .001, partial η 2 = 0.21; baseline‐adjusted between‐group d = 1.28 at follow‐up). Parent‐rated ADHD symptoms decreased significantly within the intervention group (T1→T3: −4.14 points, p < .001), but the baseline‐adjusted between‐group differences were small and not statistically significant (T2: p = .057; T3: p = .075; adjusted d ≈ 0.28–0.30). Parenting stress declined similarly in both groups. Exploratory mediation analyses indicated a significant indirect effect on follow‐up ADHD symptoms through improved parenting skills ( ab = −1.86, 95% bootstrap CI [−4.01, −0.37]). Conclusion The culturally adapted blended BPT program was feasible and produced large, sustained improvements in parenting skills among Vietnamese parents. The effects on parent‐rated ADHD symptoms were small and require confirmation in adequately powered trials. Trial registration Thai Clinical Trials Registry, TCTR20260212003 (retrospectively registered on February 12, 2026). Registration number: TCTR20260212003. Available at: https://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/show/TCTR20260212003 .

Source: JCPP Advances

DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.70150

Authors: Tran Thanh Nam, Nguyen Thi Tram Anh, Nguyen Thi Hong Nhung, Le Thi Lam, Le Thi Thuy Hang

Institutions: Vietnam National University, Hanoi, VNU University of Education, University of Da Nang, Trường Đại học Sư phạm – Đại học Đà Nẵng

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: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,705