Internet-Based Behavioural Parent Training Intervention for Children With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Internet-Based Behavioural Parent Training Intervention for Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of an Internet-based behavioural parent training intervention on children's ADHD symptoms and children's and parents' mental health status.

The study design was a 2-parallel-group experimental longitudinal study. Firstly, the children received a diagnostic interview by an experienced child and adolescent psychiatrist at Wuhan Mental Health Centre for confirmation of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Parents who were eligible for the inclusion criteria and interested in the internet-based behavioural Parent Training (I-BPT) program were recruited. After the assessments of ADHD symptoms and psychiatric comorbidity, participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the routine clinical care (RCC) group or I-BPT+RCC group using computer-generated randomization numbers. Participants in the I-BPT+RCC group were offered 2 months (8 weeks) of internet-assisted parent training in addition to routine outpatient treatment. The RCC group initially received only routine outpatient treatment, yet, after post-follow-up assessment, they were provided with the same I-BPT intervention for ethical considerations. Both groups were followed up after intervention by electronic questionnaire.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 1.Meeting the diagnostic criteria for ADHD in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition
• 2.Total IQ greater than 70 as measured by the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fourth Edition (WISC-IV)
• 3.Child and their parents consent to the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• 1.Children or parents with severe organic encephalopathy and other severe mental disorders
• 2.Has received or is receiving behavioral treatment (parent training)
• 3.Parents who could not understand or lacking of access to computers and the Internet