Is psychological treatment efficacious for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? Review of non-pharmacological treatments in children and adolescents with ADHD

Abstract

Introduction: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most prevalent psychiatric disorder in children and adolescents, and has a great impact on the psychological development of affected patients. Even though its efficacy is proven, the use of medication for ADHD has several limitations, and non-pharmacological interventions are considered a necessary component of treatment.

Methodology: This work is a review of evidence-based non-pharmacological treatments with demonstrated efficacy for ADHD in children and adolescents, analyzed by age groups.

Results: Non-pharmacological treatments that have shown scientific evidence of efficacy are psychological and psychoeducational interventions. Psychological interventions include behavioral therapy, parent training (PT) and social skills training. Psychoeducational interventions include a set of practices to improve learning and are carried out in the school setting. Scientific evidence of efficacy in preschool children is limited to PT, while different psychological and psychoeducational interventions have been shown to be beneficial in school-age children. The available evidence for non-pharmacological treatment in adolescence is so far insufficient.

Conclusions: Though more randomized controlled trials are necessary for non-pharmacological interventions to become established practices, there are clear indications of their efficacy. For more severe cases of ADHD, a combination of non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment is recommended.