ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment in Children and Adolescents
Peterson, B. S., Trampush ,J., et al. (2024).
Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, (Comparative Effectiveness Review No. 267. (Prepared by the Southern California Evidence based Practice Center under Contract No. 75Q80120D00009.) AHRQ Publication No. 24-
EHC003. PCORI Publication No. 2023-SR-03).
This systematic review and meta-analysis explores the effectiveness of a wide range of diagnostic tools, interventions, and monitoring techniques used for children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This article summary only reports findings relevant to speech-language pathology (SLP) scope of practice.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
1980 to 2011 and 2016 to 2022
Randomized controlled trials
550 (22 within SLP scope of practice)
Cognitive training had the following effects for children and adolescents, ages 3 to 17, with ADHD:<br />
<ul>
<li>improved scores on broadband ADHD measures (SMD = 0.50; Low Strength of Evidence);</li>
<li>reduced ADHD symptoms (SMD = -0.37; Low Strength of Evidence); </li>
<li>had no significant effect on problem behaviors or functional impairment (Low Strength of Evidence);</li>
<li>had no systematic impact on adverse events, with one study reporting increased frustration and headaches, and the other reporting no adverse events (Insufficient Strength of Evidence)</li>
<li>had an unknown effect on acceptability of treatment, academic performance, and appetite suppression (Insufficient Strength of Evidence).</li>
</ul>
Overall, there was an emerging evidence base regarding the use of cognitive training for children and adolescents with ADHD. Additional research is indicated due to heterogeneity between studies and an overall lack of high quality evidence.
