Strength-based Treatment Approach for Adults With ADHD

NCT04832737 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: RC001
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 23
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

The aim of the research is to develop a treatment program with positive self-awareness and self-determination outcomes for adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Current treatments are based in a characterisation of ADHD oriented on deficits impairing everyday functioning, with primary goals of symptom control and reduction. However, treatment approaches are not standardised and only evidence short-term effectiveness. This project proposes an alternative approach to understanding ADHD behaviours, supported by Self Determination Theory (SDT). Research shows SDT based treatment approaches can support engagement of intrinsic motivation and longterm integration of behavioural change. ADHD research shows individuals are impaired in some contexts but not in others and can manage well, indicating potential for ADHD neurodiverse "strengths" which could be developed and supported. Recent psychology research recommends cultivating positive psychological factors and emotions to improve mental health and wellbeing. Adults aged 18+ with a confirmed ADHD diagnosis will be invited to participate in two projects: Intensive online interviews of 1 hour will be conducted to identify, explore, and construct a theory about the factors, or "natural strengths" in lived experience of ADHD that help individuals to overcome everyday impairments. These factors will be incorporated into a pilot feasibility study of an SDT based 12-week treatment programme focusing on understanding the lived experience of ADHD and building on these strengths. The treatment will be designed for individual participants and delivered online. This study will have two sets of participants: one group will go directly to treatment, the other will go on a 12-week waiting list to create a comparison group. The second group will then be offered the 12-week treatment. Measures of experience of the participants will be looking for the feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of this treatment, as well as indicators of symptom improvement, and changes in self-awareness and self-regulation skills.

Conditions

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (7)

• Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale -WFIRS

  Measures change in severity of ADHD symptoms. Lilkert scale where the total score can be reviewed, or a mean score from each relevant domain. Higher scores mean worse outcome.

  Baseline and immediately after intervention

• Patient Heath Questionniare (PHQ)- 9

  Major Depressive Disorder section of larger PHQ measuring change in severity of Depression symptoms. Minimim score 0, maximum score 27, higher scores mean worse outcome.

  Baseline and immediately after intervention

• General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) 7

  Measures change in severity of Anxiety symptoms. Scale score ranges from 0 to 21 with cut points of 5, 10, and 15 that might be interpreted as representing mild, moderate, and severe levels of anxiety. Higher scores mean worse outcome.

  Baseline and immediately after intervention

• Harter's Self Perception Profile

  Measures changes in self awareness. Each item has minimum score of 1, maximum score of 4. Mean scores are calculated for each of 12 sub-domains. Higher scores mean better outcome.

  Baseline and immediately after intervention

• Index of Autonomous Functioning -IAF

  Measures changes in feeling self-determined. Each item scores minimum 1, maximum 5 and total is calculated by averaging scores from 15 items. Higher scores mean better outcome.

  Baseline and immediately after intervention

• Perceived Choice and Awareness of Self Scale -PCASS

  Measures changes in feeling self-determined. Likert 10-item scale, with two 5-item subscales with minimum of 1 and maximum of 5 on each item. Total is calculated by averaging scores in each subscale, with higher scores meaning a better outcome.

  Baseline and immediately after intervention

• Personal Questionnaire - PQ

  Measure change in participant selected specific psychological difficulties. 10 problems are measured weekly with score of minimum 1, maximum 7. Total is calculated by averaging scores in each subscale, with higher scores meaning a better outcome.

  During the intervention

Study Arms (2)

Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

SDT theory-based psychotherapeutic treatment model

Behavioral: ADDapt Ability Framework

Control

NO INTERVENTION

Wait List

Interventions

ADDapt Ability Framework BEHAVIORAL

12 week individual therapeutic coaching intervention

Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Confirmed diagnosis of ADHD
• Age 18 or older
• Access to computer or smartphone with an internet connection

You may not qualify if:

• Co-morbid diagnosis (e.g. Autism, Bi-polar, Learning Disabilities, Traumatic Brain Injury, Psychosis or Tourette's)
• Substance abuse disorders
• Other mental health disorders (e.g. PTSD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder
• Personality Disorders

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Huddersfield: lead

Study Sites (2)

University of Huddersfield

Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 3DH, United Kingdom

Location

Manygates Adult ADHD Clinic

Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 5PN, United Kingdom

Location

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MeSH Terms

Conditions

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Barry Tolchard

  University of Huddersfield

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: This is a wait list control study design with pre-, within, and post-treatment measures. A rolling entry of participants will be conducted, where once individuals have been screened their entry into the study will begin. A maximum of 30 adults aged 18+ with a confirmed diagnosis of ADHD will be allocated using block randomisation to the SDT theory-based model or wait list over a 12-week period. Following the 12-week wait, the wait list group will also be enrolled in the SDT theory-based model. This ensures all participants receive the opportunity to experience the treatment.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 29, 2021
• First Posted: April 6, 2021
• Study Start: September 6, 2021
• Primary Completion: April 17, 2023
• Study Completion: April 17, 2023
• Last Updated: May 17, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

GB (2)