Effects of a psychoeducational group intervention for adults diagnosed with ADHD: a pilot randomized controlled study.
| Title: | Effects of a psychoeducational group intervention for adults diagnosed with ADHD: a pilot randomized controlled study. |
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| Authors: | Holsbrekken Å; Division of Psychiatry, Nidaros Community Mental Health Center, St. Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. aashiho@stud.ntnu.no.; Skliarova T; Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.; Mandahl A; Vårres Regional User-Led Center Mid-Norway, Trondheim, Norway.; Sæther SG; Blue Cross Lade Addiction Treatment Centre, Trondheim, Norway.; Faculty of Nursing and Health Science, Nord University, Namsos, Norway.; Lund AGS; Department of Psychiatry, Levanger Hospital, Nord-Trøndelag Hospital Trust, Levanger, Norway.; Surkovic J; Department of Mental Healthcare, St. Olav's Hospital, Nidelv Community Mental Health Centre, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.; Søndenaa E; Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.; Center for Research and Education in Forensic Psychiatry, St. Olav's Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.; Vaag J; Department of Psychology, University of Inland Norway, Lillehammer, Norway.; Torgersen T; Division of Psychiatry, Nidaros Community Mental Health Center, St. Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.; Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.; Lara-Cabrera ML; Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway. mariela.lara@ntnu.no.; Department of Mental Healthcare, St. Olav's Hospital, Nidelv Community Mental Health Centre, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. mariela.lara@ntnu.no. |
| Source: | BMC psychiatry [BMC Psychiatry] 2025 Oct 14; Vol. 25 (1), pp. 983. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Oct 14. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article; Pragmatic Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: BioMed Central Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 100968559 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1471-244X (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 1471244X NLM ISO Abbreviation: BMC Psychiatry Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: London : BioMed Central, [2001- |
| MeSH Terms: | Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity*/therapy ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity*/psychology ; Patient Education as Topic*/methods ; Psychotherapy, Group*/methods ; Quality of Life*/psychology; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Norway ; Patient Satisfaction ; Pilot Projects ; Treatment Outcome |
| Abstract: | Introduction: Psychoeducational group programs have shown promising results for people with attention-deficit/hyperactive disorders (ADHD). This pilot study aimed to investigate the impact of a new co-produced psychoeducational group intervention on quality of life (QoL), ADHD-related symptoms, and patient satisfaction.; Method: This pragmatic pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) had two parallel arms. Outpatients were recruited in two community mental health centers (CMHCs) in the Central Norway Regional Health Authority. Patients eligible for inclusion were diagnosed with ADHD. The psychoeducation group (PG) received a 10-session psychoeducational group program as a supplement to treatment as usual (TAU), while the control group (CG) received TAU only. The program was developed in collaboration between user representatives and health professionals. While the primary aim of this pilot study was to assess the preliminary impact of the intervention, we conducted exploratory between-group comparisons to identify potential effects on patient-centered outcomes. The primary outcome was QoL measured with the Adult ADHD Quality of Life Scale (AAQoL). Secondary outcomes were ADHD symptom severity (Adult Self-Report Scale, 6-Item) and patient satisfaction (Satisfaction with Information on ADHD and Treatment Scale). We collected data at baseline, pre-, and post-intervention (T0, T1, and T2 respectively).; Results: Of 49 patients, 27 were allocated to the PG and 22 to the CG. Between-group comparisons using linear mixed models indicated a statistically significant improvement in QoL (mean difference = 6.90; p = 0.04; 95% CI [0.20-13.60]; Cohen's d = 0.49). Outpatients in the PG reported significantly higher satisfaction with information as compared to the CG (mean difference = 2.14; p = 0.02; 95% CI [0.33-3.95]; Cohen's d = 0.78). However, there were no significant differences in ADHD symptoms between the groups.; Conclusion: This psychoeducational group intervention significantly improved QoL and patient satisfaction but not symptom burden in adult patients with ADHD. Future studies should explore the long-term effects of psychoeducational group programs and examine ways to optimize treatment outcomes.; Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03337425, 06/11/2017.; (© 2025. The Author(s).) |
| Competing Interests: | Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The research trial is registered and approved by the Regional Committees for Medical Research Ethics (REC 2016/1885) and is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ 06.11.2017 (Protocol record NCT03337425). The patients involved gave their written and informed consent to participate in the study. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. |
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| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); Group intervention; Patient education; Patient-centred care; Peer co-facilitated education; Psychoeducational intervention; Quality of life; Randomized controlled trial (RCT); User involvement |
| Molecular Sequence: | ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03337425 |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20251014 Date Completed: 20251015 Latest Revision: 20260105 |
| Update Code: | 20260130 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC12522325 |
| DOI: | 10.1186/s12888-025-07452-5 |
| PMID: | 41088068 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Journal Article; Pragmatic Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial