WITHDRAWN: Internet delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD -A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Evidence-based psychological interventions for adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are seldom available in clinical settings. Medication is often offered as the sole treatment, with non-optimal effects for a majority of patients. The objective was to compare internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) to an active control treatment of internet-based applied relaxation training (IART), and to treatment as usual only (TAU) in adult outpatients with ADHD. One hundred and four patients, of which 67 % used ADHD medication, were randomized to 12 weeks of ICBT (n = 36), IART (n = 37), or TAU (n = 31). Primary outcome was change in the Adult ADHD Self Report Scale (ASRS) up to 3 and 12 months after treatment. ASRS improved more for ICBT (t (93.8) = 3.2; p < .01) and IART (t (91.5) = 3.2; p < .01) than for TAU, with sustained effects over 12 months for ICBT (t (160.8) = −7.3; p < .001). No significant difference was found when comparing ICBT to IART (t (98.3) = 0.63; p = .53). Treatment responders reached 25 % for both treatments, which was superior to the 3 % responders in TAU (p < .05). ICBT could be a promising add-on to medication and increase availability to psychological treatment with sustained symptom reductions after one year. • Few patients with ADHD are offered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) after diagnosis • Guided self-help treatment through internet (iCBT) can increase access to CBT • This randomized controlled trial included 104 participants with verified ADHD • Positive effects on ADHD symptoms were found for both iCBT and internet-based Applied Relaxation compared to treatment as usual • The lower symptom levels were sustained after one year • iCBT can be a promising treatment for ADHD