The effect of cognitive behavioral therapy in groups on executive functions of adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder patient

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the potential effect of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in groups on the executive functions of adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) patient. Method 55 patients were included and received 12 weeks CBT in groups based on manual. The measurements included ADHD Rating Scale and Cambridge Neuropsychological Testing Automated Battery (CANTAB) which were used before and after CBT. Meanwhile 55 healthy controls were included and their cognitive functions were also evaluated. Results At the baseline the reaction time on GO trails of stop signal task (SST) of patients was longer than controls((514.6±171.0) ms vs. (491.9±144.7) ms t=0.74, P=0.460), the SST proportion of successful stops of patients was similar to controls (0.5±0.5 vs. 0.5±0.1, t=0.03, P=0.975), the spatial working memory (SWM) strategy of patients was lower than controls ((30.7±5.9) times vs. (31.0±5.3) times, t==-0.28, P=0.783), and the SWM total errors number was higher than controls (17.1±13.7 vs. 14.5±14.2, t=0.94, P=0.352). But all the differences were not significant. After CBT the score of ADHD Rating Scale was significantly decreased (26.9±7.8 vs. 14.5±8.1, t=9.92, P<0.01), SST reaction time on GO trails of patients was significantly increased (514.6±171.0 vs. 561.2±189.3, t=-2.37, P=0.022), the SST proportion of successful stops of patients was significantly increased (0.5±0.5 vs. 0.6±0.1, t=- 3.83, P<0.01), the SWM strategy of patients was tend to decrease (30.7±5.9 vs. 29.2±6.0, t=1.98, P=0.053), and the SWM total errors was not significantly changed (17.1±13.7 vs. 15.7±12.7, t=0.80, P=0.426). There was no significant correlation between the changes of executive functions and the changes of ADHD symptoms. Conclusion CBT could significantly improve the executive functions such as spatial working memory and inhibit control of adult ADHD patients. Key words: Attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity; Cognitive therapy; Executive function; Group psycho therapy; Adult