Computerized cognitive interventions for adults with ADHD: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Pia Elbe, Christian Bäcklund, Mariana Vega‐Mendoza, Daniel Eriksson Sörman, Hanna Malmberg Gavelin, Lars Nyberg, Jessica K. Ljungberg
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Treatments for adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are understudied, compared to children and adolescents with the same condition. In this systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis, we aim to evaluate the outcomes of computerized cognitive training (CCT) interventions in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including adults with ADHD. METHOD: Cognitive outcomes and ADHD symptom severity were analyzed separately. In addition, the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory of cognitive abilities was used to categorize outcome variables into subdomains, which were analyzed separately in a subsequent analysis. RESULTS: ² = 0.000). However, neither symptom severity nor specific cognitive outcomes (executive functioning, cognitive speed, or working memory) showed a significant improvement. CONCLUSIONS: We analyzed the risk of bias in the chosen studies and discuss the findings in terms of effect size. It is concluded that CCT has a small positive effect in adults with ADHD. Due to the lack of heterogeneity in intervention designs across the included studies, increased heterogeneity in future studies could help inform clinicians about the aspects of CCT, such as training type and length, that are most beneficial for this group. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).