A study has identified the most effective attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatments.
The largest of its kind to date, it found that medication is the most effective treatment for both children and adults with ADHD.
The study further showed that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) emerged as a leading treatment for adults with the condition.
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More than 200 meta-analyses assessing different types of treatments, participant groups, and clinical outcomes were examined in the review.
The researchers from Université Paris Nanterre and Institut Robert-Debré du Cerveau de l’Enfant in France, along with the University of Southampton, published the study in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
This research was funded by public and peer-reviewed research grants from the Agence Nationale de la Recherche in France, the France 2030 program, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research in the UK.
Along with their findings, the research team has opened an interactive online portal to assist people with ADHD and their healthcare providers in making shared and informed decisions regarding treatments.
The portal clearly presents the findings and the evidence behind each treatment .
Professor Samuele Cortese, an NIHR research professor at the University of Southampton and senior lead author of the study, said: “We know that people with ADHD and their families are often overwhelmed by conflicting messages about which treatments work.
“We believe this study and the accompanying website provide the most authoritative, evidence-based, and accessible guidance currently available.”
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The study also found that treatments such as acupuncture, mindfulness, and exercise are promising in managing ADHD symptoms, but the evidence that supports their use is too limited.
Dr Corentin Gosling, associate professor at Paris Nanterre University and first lead author of the study, said: “Having incorrect information about treatments can make people’s journeys even more difficult.
“By contrast, taking the time to review all treatment options within a shared decision-making process using the web app we developed can empower people with ADHD, leading to better treatment adherence, improved outcomes, and an overall better patient experience.”
