A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of Organizational Skills Training on Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in China

Abstract

Background:

In addition to attention and hyperactivity problems, children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have poorer organizational skills needed to manage time and materials. This study examines the improvement of organizational skills in children with ADHD by studying organizational skills training (OST).

Methods:

This was a prospective, randomized controlled trial. Between September 2023 and January 2024, 70 children with a diagnosis of ADHD and at least one domain of executive dysfunction (EF) were divided into two groups. The conventional group was treated with medication, biofeedback, and behavioral interventions based on the children’s actual condition. The OST group received OST in addition to the conventional group.

Results:

The mean age of the children was 8.33 ± 1.62 years. A total of 66 children completed the intervention and follow-up, 32 in the conventional group and 34 in the OST group. There were no differences between the two groups of children in terms of their preintervention scores on the BRIEF, SNAP-IV, or IVA-CPT. Postintervention scores on the behavioral scales decreased (p < .05), and IVA-CPT scores increased (p < .05) in both groups compared with those in the preintervention period. The OST group had a lower BRIEF (p = .019) and SNAP-IV Attention deficit subscale (p = .046) and a higher IVA-CPT Attention deficit Index (p = .032) than the conventional group after the intervention. The percentage of children with a normal BRIEF total score in the OST group was 79.41% (27/34) after the intervention, which was greater than the 37.50% (12/32) in the conventional group (p = .001). Compared with the OST group, children in the conventional group were at greater risk of having BRIEF scores that remained abnormal after the intervention. Analysis of covariance revealed a statistically significant effect of group (p = .008), preintervention BRIEF (p < .001), and participation score (p = .036) on postintervention BRIEF.

Conclusion:

OST can further improve organizational skills in daily life in children with ADHD while improving core symptoms of attention deficit in addition to conventional treatment. The effect of OST on BRIEF is also influenced by the child’s BRIEF status at the baseline level and the level of cooperation during the intervention.

Trial registration:

The randomized controlled trial registration number was ChiCTR2300075744.

Keywords

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder effectiveness randomized controlled trial organizational skills training

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