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Attention and executive functions computer training for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): results from a randomized, controlled trial

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Abstract

Multicenter randomized clinical superiority single-blind trial investigated the effect of a computer training program targeting multiple cognitive functions. Seventy children with ADHD, aged 6–13, were randomized to intervention or control group. The intervention group used ACTIVATE™ for 8 weeks and both groups received treatment as usual and were assessed in regard to cognitive functions, symptoms, behavioral and functional outcome measures after 8, 12 and 24 weeks. There was no significant effect on the primary outcome, sustained attention (β = − 0.047; CI − 0.247 to 0.153) or the secondary outcomes [parent-rated ADHD-RS, β = − 0.037; CI (− 0.224 to 0.150); teacher-rated-ADHD-RS, β = 0.093; CI (− 0.107 to 0.294); parent-rated-BRIEF, β = − 0.119; CI (− 0.307 to 0.069); and teacher-rated-BRIEF, β = 0.136; CI (− 0.048 to 0.322)]. This multicenter randomized clinical trial found no significant beneficial effects of cognitive training using the computer program ACTIVATE on the primary or secondary outcome measures in children with ADHD. Nevertheless, our study was likely underpowered to detect small to moderate changes.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01752530, date of registration: December 10, 2012.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank to the participants of the trial and the funding organizations: TrygFonden (Grant no. 7-12-1137), Psychiatric Foundation of Region Southern Denmark, The Region of Southern Denmark’s Ph.D. pool and University of Southern Denmark for financial support. We would like to thank Professor Bruce Wexler from Yale University for providing access and IT support to ACTIVATE™. Thanks to Anders Bo Bøjesen, Region of Southern Denmark, for valuable input and help with the statistical analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Southern Jutland, Region of Southern Denmark, Kresten Phillipsens Vej 15, Aabenraa, Denmark

    Aida Bikic

  2. Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Winsløwsparken 19, Odense, Denmark

    Aida Bikic & Niels Bilenberg

  3. Yale Child Study Centre, Yale University, 230 South Frontage Road, New Haven, USA

    James F. Leckman

  4. Psychiatric Department, Region Nordjylland, Klinik Psykiatri Nord Hjørringvej 180, Brønderslev, Denmark

    Torben Ø. Christensen

  5. Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Odense, Psychiatric Hospital Region of Southern, Odense, Denmark

    Niels Bilenberg

  6. Department of Economics and Business, National Centre for Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Fuglesangs Allé 4, Aarhus, Denmark

    Søren Dalsgaard

  7. The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark

    Søren Dalsgaard

  8. Department for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hospital of Telemark, Kragerø, Norway

    Søren Dalsgaard

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  1. Aida Bikic
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Correspondence to Aida Bikic.

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Conflict of interest

None. The author group was not involved in the development of the intervention. The company owing copyrights to the intervention program had no influence of the design of the study, analyses or presentation of the data or the decision to publish the findings.

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Bikic, A., Leckman, J.F., Christensen, T.Ø. et al. Attention and executive functions computer training for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): results from a randomized, controlled trial. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 27, 1563–1574 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-018-1151-y

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