Community-Delivered Evidence-Based Practice and Usual Care for Adolescent Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Examining Mechanistic Outcomes

Research Review: Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder - a systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) demonstrates unique developmental manifestations in adolescence with implications for optimized, age-appropriate treatment. This 10-year update is the third in a series of systematic reviews examining the efficacy and safety of adolescent ADHD treatments. We broadly examined efficacy on ADHD symptoms, impairments, and other reported outcomes. Acute and long-term efficacy, and treatment moderators, were considered.

METHOD

We performed PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO searches for articles published or in press from 2013 to 2024, integrated with hand search and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) identified in this series' earlier reviews. RCTs examining the safety or efficacy of interventions delivered to adolescents (ages 10.0-19.9) with a diagnosis of ADHD were included. Study characteristics were extracted and reviewed, quality of evidence was assessed using GRADE, and effect sizes were calculated for individual studies and illustrated using forest plots.

RESULTS

Sixty-three RCTs were identified. Quality of evidence ranged from high (medication; k = 29) to very low (nutrient supplementation, neurofeedback, occupational therapy; k = 1 each). Medications demonstrated consistent strong impact on ADHD symptoms and inconsistent impact on impairment. Diverse cognitive/behavioral treatments (C/BTs) demonstrated inconsistent impact on ADHD symptoms but strong and consistent impact on impairment and executive function skills, plus moderate benefits on internalizing symptoms. No interventions demonstrated significant safety concerns. Long-term maintenance (up to 3 years post-treatment) was demonstrated for C/BTs, though moderate quality of evidence was noted because participants cannot be fully blinded to receipt of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The effects of C/BTs and medication appear complementary, not duplicative. Combining medication and C/BT is advised at treatment outset to maximize engagement, maintenance, and response breadth (i.e. improving both ADHD symptoms/cognitive performance and coping skills/functional impairments). Engagement strategies (e.g. motivational interviewing) may facilitate uptake. Novel treatments do not yet demonstrate effects on ADHD symptoms or impairments in adolescents but remain a promising area for research.

Shared Decision-Making with Latinx Caregivers During Community Implemented Evidence-Based Practices: Determinants and Associations with Alliance

OBJECTIVE

The current observational study examined shared decision-making (SDM) with caregivers of Latinx youth within the delivery of multiple evidence-based practices (EBPs) in community mental health services. The aims of the study were to (1) Identify therapist and client factors associated with increased SDM within EBP sessions and (2) Examine the association between SDM and therapeutic alliance between community therapists and Latinx caregivers.

METHOD

The Observing Patient Involvement in Decision-Making (OPTION) instrument measured SDM in 210 audio-recorded therapy sessions with 62 community therapists (91.94% female; 69.35% Latinx) and 109 Latinx caregivers (91.43% female) of youth who were an average age of 8.26 years (SD = 3.59). We used the Therapy Process Observational Coding System for Child Psychotherapy-Alliance scale to measure the caregiver-therapist alliance observationally. Multilevel linear regressions were conducted to examine research questions.

RESULTS

Greater SDM was observed within sessions where therapists targeted conduct problems versus trauma (B = -8.79, 95% CI[-14.09, -3.49], p = .001). There was a trend that SDM was higher in English-language sessions compared to Spanish. We found that the global measurement of SDM (B = .04, 95% CI[.01, .08], p = .03) and the OPTION item Integrate Preferences (B = .69, 95% CI[.07, 1.32], p = .03) were positively associated with alliance.

CONCLUSIONS

SDM may help foster Latinx caregiver engagement within EBP delivery. Provider training in SDM may be warranted with consideration of the specific clinical contexts (e.g., by presenting problem) that are appropriate for collaborative treatment planning. More research is needed to further establish the benefits of SDM in youth psychotherapy.

A Randomized Community-Based Trial of Behavior Therapy vs. Usual Care for Adolescent ADHD: Secondary Outcomes and Effects on Comorbidity

Though behavior therapy (BT) for ADHD in adolescence is evidence-based, almost no work examines its implementation and effectiveness in community settings. A recent randomized community-based trial of an evidence-based BT for adolescent ADHD (Supporting Teens' Autonomy Daily; STAND; N = 278) reported high clinician, parent, and youth acceptability but variable implementation fidelity. Primary outcome analyses suggested no significant differences between STAND and usual care (UC) unless the clinician delivering STAND was licensed. The present study reports secondary outcomes for this trial on indices of comorbidity (anxiety, depression, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder) and ADHD outcomes not targeted by the active treatment (social skills, sluggish cognitive tempo). We also examine whether therapist licensure moderated treatment effects (as in primary outcome analyses). Using intent-to-treat and per protocol linear mixed models, patients randomized to STAND were compared to those randomized to UC over approximately 10 months of follow-up. Group × Time effects revealed that, overall, STAND did not outperform usual care when implemented by community clinicians. However, a Group × Time × Licensure interaction revealed a significant effect on conduct problems when STAND was delivered by licensed clinicians (d = .19-.47). When delivered in community settings, behavior therapy for adolescent ADHD can outperform UC with respect to conduct problems reduction. Community mental health clinics should consider: (1) assigning adolescent ADHD cases to licensed professionals to maximize impact and (2) choosing psychosocial approaches when ADHD presents with comorbid conduct problems. There is also a need to reduce implementation barriers for unlicensed clinicians in community settings.