A randomized controlled trial of CBT therapy for adults with ADHD with and
without medication.
Author(s): Weiss M, Murray C, Wasdell M, Greenfield B, Giles L, Hechtman L.
Affiliation(s): University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine, 1488 Gordon Ave, West
Vancouver, BC V7T 1R6, Canada. Margaret.weiss@me.com
Publication date & source: 2012, BMC Psychiatry. , 12:30
BACKGROUND: Previous studies of psychological treatment in adults with ADHD have
not controlled for medication status and include either medicated participants or
mixed samples of medicated and unmedicated participants. The objective of this
study is to examine whether use of medication improves outcome of therapy.
METHOD: This was a secondary analysis comparing 23 participants randomized to CBT
and Dextroamphetamine vs. 25 participants randomized to CBT and placebo. Both
patients and investigators were blind to treatment assignment. Two co-primary
outcomes were used: ADHD symptoms on the ADHD-RS-Inv completed by the
investigator and improvement in functioning as reported by the patient on the
Sheehan Disability Scale.
RESULTS: Both groups showed robust improvement in both symptoms and functioning,
but the use of medication did not significantly improve outcome over and above
use of CBT and placebo.
CONCLUSION: This study replicates previous work demonstrating that CBT is an
effective treatment for ADHD in adults. Within the limits of this pilot,
secondary analysis we were not able to demonstrate that medication significantly
augments the outcome of CBT therapy for adults with ADHD. The study was funded by
GlaxoSmithKline, Clinical Trials Registry #GSK707.
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