A Cognitive Remediation Programme for Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 610-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline S Stevenson ◽  
Stephanie Whitmont ◽  
Laurel Bornholt ◽  
David Livesey ◽  
Richard J Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Adult Adhd ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cognitive Remediation ◽  
Attention Problems ◽  
Organizational Skills ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Adhd Symptomatology

Objective: This is the first systematic examination of the efficacy of a cognitive remediation programme (CRP) for management of adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The CRP was designed to target problems commonly associated with adult ADHD, namely, attention problems, poor motivation, poor organizational skills, impulsivity, reduced anger control and low self-esteem. Method: In a randomized, controlled trial, a representative sample of adults with ADHD (some medicated, some not) were assigned to either a CRP (n = 22) or a waiting list control (n = 21). The CRP was delivered in an intensive format with eight two-hour, weekly sessions with support people who acted as coaches, and participant workbooks with homework exercises. Results: Participants who completed the CRP reported reduced ADHD symptomatology (effect size (d) = 1.4), improved organizational skills (d = 1.2) and reduced levels of anger (d = 0.5). Clinically significant improvements in ADHD symptomatology (d = 1.4) and organizational skills (d = 1.3) were maintained one year after the intervention. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the CRP provides a practical way of enhancing daily functioning for adults with ADHD.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

2015 ◽  
pp. 105-116
Author(s):  
Joel Paris
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Adult Adhd ◽  
Attention Problems ◽  
Childhood Adhd ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Dsm 5 ◽  
Psychopharmacological Treatment

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has become another diagnostic epidemic, associated with the medicalization of all problems in attention, whatever their real cause. This trend has led to the over-prescription of stimulants, which are now much more commonly provided to both children and adults. This practice is of particular concern when adults who have never had childhood ADHD are given this diagnosis on the basis of attention problems alone. The DSM-5 criteria for adult ADHD have become broader, in spite of notable comorbidity. This is another example of the tendency to make diagnoses of mental disorders that are believed to benefit from a specific psychopharmacological treatment.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Creativity, and the Effects of Methylphenidate

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 816-819
Author(s):  
Jeanne B. Funk ◽  
John B. Chessare ◽  
Michael T. Weaver ◽  
Anita R. Exley
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Creative Thinking ◽  
Adhd Group ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Clinically Significant

Given that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more impulsive than peers, this study explored whether they are correspondingly more creative, and whether creativity declines when impulsivity is decreased through methylphenidate (Ritalin) therapy. A repeated-measures quasi-experimental design was used to compare the performance of 19 boys with previously diagnosed ADHD and 21 comparison boys aged 8 through 11 on two administrations of alternate forms of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking-Figural (nonverbal). Boys with ADHD received prescribed methylphenidate only for the first session. Overall, mean Torrance summary scores for comparison boys (mean = 115.1, SD = 16.1) were higher than for boys with ADHD (mean = 107.6, SD = 12.7). However, the difference between means was small (7%) and did not meet the 25% criterion for a clinically significant difference. No changes in performance over time (comparison group) or medication state (ADHD group) were observed. These data suggest that, when measured nonverbally, the creative thinking performance of boys with ADHD is not superior to that of peers who do not have ADHD. Regarding the effects of methylphenidate, prescribed therapy did not influence performance on this measure of creative thinking.

Visual attention in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder before and after stimulant treatment

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (15) ◽  
pp. 2617-2625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann-Marie Low ◽  
Signe Vangkilde ◽  
Julijana le Sommer ◽  
Birgitte Fagerlund ◽  
Birte Glenthøj ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Visual Attention ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Visual Processing ◽  
Stimulant Medication ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Visual Processing Speed ◽  
Adhd Symptomatology

AbstractBackgroundAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder which frequently persists into adulthood. The primary goal of the current study was to (a) investigate attentional functions of stimulant medication-naïve adults with ADHD, and (b) investigate the effects of 6 weeks of methylphenidate treatment on these functions.MethodsThe study was a prospective, non-randomized, non-blinded, 6-week follow-up design with 42 stimulant medication-naïve adult patients with ADHD, and 42 age and parental education-matched healthy controls. Assessments included measures of visual attention, based on Bundesen's Theory of Visual Attention (TVA), which yields five precise measures of aspects of visual attention; general psychopathology; ADHD symptoms; dyslexia screening; and estimates of IQ.ResultsAt baseline, significant differences were found between patients and controls on three attentional parameters: visual short-term memory capacity, threshold of conscious perception, and to a lesser extent visual processing speed. Secondary analyses revealed no significant correlations between TVA parameter estimates and severity of ADHD symptomatology. At follow-up, significant improvements were found specifically for visual processing speed; this improvement had a large effect size, and remained when controlling for re-test effects, IQ, and dyslexia screen performance. There were no significant correlations between changes in visual processing speed and changes in ADHD symptomatology.ConclusionsADHD in adults may be associated with deficits in three distinct aspects of visual attention. Improvements after 6 weeks of medication are seen specifically in visual processing speed, which could represent an improvement in alertness. Clinical symptoms and visual attentional deficits may represent separate aspects of ADHD in adults.

Epidemiology, Impairments, and Differential Diagnosis in Adult ADHD: Introduction

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (S12) ◽  
pp. 4-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenard A. Adler
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Adult Adhd ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Childhood Disorder

In the mid-1970s, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was still believed to be a childhood disorder that disappeared with the onset of adolescence. At this time, Wender studied a cohort of adults presenting with ADHD-like symptoms, all of whom had been diagnosed with ADHD in childhood. Wender prescribed psycho-stimulants, which successfully produced a response in the adults, thus fostering research into adult ADHD.

Medical Mimics and Differential Diagnosis in Adult ADHD

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (S15) ◽  
pp. 14-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Stein
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Adult Patient ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Adult Adhd ◽  
Diagnostic Evaluation ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Rule Out

When performing a diagnostic evaluation for an adult patient with possible adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), clinicians must pay particular attention to possible mimics. ADHD mimics are conditions responsible for the symptoms or impairments that superficially resemble, and may be confused with ADHD. These mimics may produce symptoms and impairments similar to those seen in adults with ADHD, but differ in etiology, course, or response to treatment of ADHD. When evaluating someone for ADHD, clinicians should first rule out the possibility of medical, psychiatric, and social mimics of ADHD.

scholarly journals Neurofeedback Training Versus Perceptual-Motor Exercises Interventions in Visual Attention for Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Neda Ghadamgahi Sani ◽  
◽  
Malahat Akbarfahimi ◽  
Shadi Akbari ◽  
Mehdi Alizadeh Zarei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Visual Attention ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Neurofeedback Training ◽  
Normal Children ◽  
Motor Proficiency ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder

Introduction: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood psychiatric disorders which is characterized by poor attention and subsequently lower learning capacities comparing with normal children. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of neurofeedback and perceptual-motor exercises as two common non-pharmacological treatments on visual attention. Method: 40 combined medicated ADHD children (aged 5-12 years) were allocated randomly in two groups: neurofeedback training and perceptual-motor exercises. Visual attention and motor proficiency were assessed before and after the treatment by Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and Bruininks-Oseretsky Test (BOT), respectively. Results: according to repeated measures ANOVA, both groups showed significant improvement in three attention-related areas of CPT including reaction time, omission and commission errors (p<0.001), while the difference between two groups was not significant (p>0.05). However, in perceptual-motor exercises group, motor proficiency improved significantly (p<0.01). Conclusion: neurofeedback training intervention, as well as perceptual-motor exercises, are effective in improving ADHD symptoms and given the similar effect of both interventions and their lack of side-effects, perceptual-motor exercises appear to be the more appropriate option for reducing symptoms of ADHD, due to its additional effect on motor proficiency, rich content of purposeful activities and social interactions.

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