The impact of a multimodal Summer Camp Training on neuropsychological functioning in children and adolescents with ADHD: an exploratory study

Abstract

This study examined the combined effects of methylphenidate (MPD) and response cost and token strategy (RCT), administered in an intensive ADHD Summer Camp Training (ASCT) format, on neuropsychological functions. Forty children with ADHD were randomly assigned to either the ASCT treatment (MPD plus RCT) or a control group (MPD plus a 1-hour session of standardized parental education/counselling [SPC]). This latter group was structured to be similar to the more typical current treatment. The ASCT treatment was administered for 2½ weeks and included RCT, consisting of elements of social skill training, attention training, and sports participation. RCT was systematically applied in all daily situations and activities. Executive functions and state of regulation using the Test for Attention Performance (TAP) and the Trail-Making Test (TMT) were assessed before training and at a 6-month follow-up. Participants receiving the ASCT improved specific neuropsychological functions in attention regulation and inhibitory control tasks at the 6-month follow-up. No changes occurred for participants assigned to the control condition. The data suggest that an intensive multimodal summer camp treatment program including strategies of instrumental learning can lead to substantial and enduring improvements in neuropsychological functioning of children and adolescents with ADHD.

Keywords: ADHD; Executive functions; Multimodal behavioral treatment; Neuropsychology; Response cost and token training; Summer Camp Training.