Mobile Behavioral Parent Training for ADHD

Overseen By Brittany Merrill, Ph.D.

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Florida International University

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 10 weeks

50 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of the study is to develop and pilot a personalized behavioral parent training intervention for caregivers of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The behavioral intervention will teach positive parenting through videos and quizzes that caregivers can access through a smartphone application. The program also gives parents and caregivers in-the-moment feedback their use of parenting strategies. The main questions to answer are: Is parenting feedback provided by a smartphone application acceptable to caregivers? Is the phone application usable and acceptable to parents and caregivers of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder? In the pilot trial, participants (parents/caregivers) will be randomly assigned to either (1) use the positive parenting intervention phone application (mobile Behavioral Parent Training: mBPT) or (2) use mBPT and receive brief, personalized phone prompts throughout their participation that target parenting behavior and intervention engagement.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Just-in-time intervention: Parenting Strategies, Mobile Behavioral Parent Training, mBPT, Just-in-time intervention: Parenting Strategies, Positive Parenting Intervention, Mobile Behavioral Parent Training (mBPT), Behavioral Parent Training, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, Parent Management Training, Positive Parenting Program for ADHD?

Research shows that Behavioral Parent Training (BPT) is an effective treatment for children with ADHD, improving behaviors like inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Studies have demonstrated that BPT can also reduce negative parenting practices and improve overall outcomes for children with ADHD. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Mobile Behavioral Parent Training (mBPT) safe for humans?

Behavioral Parent Training (BPT), which includes Mobile Behavioral Parent Training (mBPT), is generally considered safe for humans. It is an evidence-based intervention used to improve parenting practices and child behavior, particularly in children with ADHD, and has been studied extensively without reports of harm. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

How is the Mobile Behavioral Parent Training (mBPT) treatment for ADHD different from other treatments?

Mobile Behavioral Parent Training (mBPT) is unique because it focuses on teaching parents effective strategies to manage their child's ADHD behaviors, which can reduce problematic situations and parental stress. Unlike medication, it empowers parents with skills to improve their child's behavior and their own parenting practices, leading to long-term benefits. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for parents or primary caregivers of children aged 7-12 who have been diagnosed with ADHD. The child must show impairment in homework performance, and the caregiver must be willing to participate and able to use a smartphone app at home.

Inclusion Criteria

Currently meets Diagnostic Statistical Manual 5 diagnostic criteria for ADHD

I am between the ages of 7 and 12.

My caregiver can join and access the treatment from home using a smartphone.

Exclusion Criteria

Not applicable.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants use the mobile Behavioral Parent Training (mBPT) application, with some receiving personalized phone prompts

10 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for parenting behavior and intervention engagement

1 week

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Just-in-time intervention: Parenting Strategies
• Mobile Behavioral Parent Training (mBPT)

Trial Overview The study tests a mobile Behavioral Parent Training (mBPT) app that teaches positive parenting through videos and quizzes. Caregivers are randomly assigned to either use the mBPT app alone or with added personalized phone prompts targeting their parenting behavior.

Participant Groups

Group I: mBPT and just-in-time adaptive intervention Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Group II: mBPT only Active Control 1 Intervention

Mobile Behavioral Parent Training (mBPT) is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Behavioral Parent Training for:

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Approved in European Union as Behavioral Parent Training for:

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Approved in Canada as Behavioral Parent Training for:

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Florida International University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

114

Recruited

19,400+

Findings from Research

A study involving 92 parents of children with ADHD showed that brief training in either antecedent-based (AC) or consequent-based (CC) techniques significantly improved daily problem behaviors compared to a waitlist group.

Antecedent-based techniques were particularly effective in reducing inattention symptoms immediately after training and at a two-week follow-up, highlighting their importance in managing ADHD behaviors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Which Techniques Work in Behavioral Parent Training for Children with ADHD? A Randomized Controlled Microtrial. Hornstra, R., van der Oord, S., Staff, AI., et al.[2022]

Behavioral Parent Training (BPT) is an effective first-line treatment for children with ADHD under six years old and a recommended combination treatment for older children, showing significant improvements in problem behaviors like inattention and hyperactivity.

The study demonstrated that BPT significantly improved parenting practices, as evidenced by changes in Parenting Scale scores, indicating that it can reduce negative parenting behaviors and enhance outcomes for children with ADHD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Does a Behavioral Parent Training Program for Parents of ADHD Children Improve Outcomes? A Pilot Project. Morgan, TC., O'Keefe, LC.[2021]

Behavioral parent training (BPT) is an effective treatment for ADHD, improving both child behavior and parenting practices, as well as reducing parenting stress and enhancing classroom behavior.

Despite its effectiveness, research on BPT for ADHD is less comprehensive than for other disorders like oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD), highlighting the need for further studies to understand factors affecting treatment outcomes, especially given the high comorbidity between ADHD and these disorders.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancements to the behavioral parent training paradigm for families of children with ADHD: review and future directions. Chronis, AM., Chacko, A., Fabiano, GA., et al.[2019]

A meta-regression analysis of 29 studies involving 2,345 parents showed that behavioral parent training for children with ADHD has small- to medium-sized positive effects on various parental outcomes, such as parenting competence and mental health.

Techniques that focus on manipulating antecedents of behavior and reinforcing desired behaviors were particularly effective, while higher dosages of psychoeducation were found to negatively impact parental outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Meta-analysis: Which Components of Parent Training Work for Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder? Dekkers, TJ., Hornstra, R., van der Oord, S., et al.[2022]

Behavioral Parent Training (BPT) is effective for treating school-age children with ADHD, but many parents struggle to consistently follow the recommended strategies, which limits the treatment's effectiveness.

The development of a new digital health (dHealth) tool aims to improve parent adherence by addressing barriers such as skill competence, executive function processes, and motivation, suggesting a promising direction for enhancing parenting interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improving Adherence to Behavioral Parent Training for ADHD Using Digital Health Tools. Pfiffner, LJ., Dvorsky, MR., Hawkey, EJ., et al.[2023]

A meta-analysis of 27 studies involving behavioral parent training for children with ADHD showed that the intervention leads to sustained improvements in ADHD symptoms, behavioral problems, and positive parenting behaviors, with follow-up assessments averaging 5.3 months post-intervention.

The study found that the benefits of behavioral parent training are maintained over time, with significant small-to-moderate effects on various outcomes, indicating its effectiveness as a long-term intervention for managing ADHD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sustained improvements by behavioural parent training for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A meta-analytic review of longer-term child and parental outcomes. Doffer, DPA., Dekkers, TJ., Hornstra, R., et al.[2023]

Behavioral parent training (BPT) significantly reduced the frequency and severity of problematic behaviors in children with ADHD, particularly in areas like chores, homework, and peer interactions, based on data from 304 parents.

Parents reported a notable decrease in stress related to parenting their child with ADHD after participating in BPT, indicating that this intervention not only helps children but also supports parental well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Behavioral Parent Training for ADHD Reduces Situational Severity of Child Noncompliance and Related Parental Stress. Ciesielski, HA., Loren, REA., Tamm, L.[2021]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Which Techniques Work in Behavioral Parent Training for Children with ADHD? A Randomized Controlled Microtrial. [2022]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Does a Behavioral Parent Training Program for Parents of ADHD Children Improve Outcomes? A Pilot Project. [2021]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancements to the behavioral parent training paradigm for families of children with ADHD: review and future directions. [2019]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Meta-analysis: Which Components of Parent Training Work for Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder? [2022]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improving Adherence to Behavioral Parent Training for ADHD Using Digital Health Tools. [2023]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sustained improvements by behavioural parent training for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A meta-analytic review of longer-term child and parental outcomes. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Behavioral Parent Training for ADHD Reduces Situational Severity of Child Noncompliance and Related Parental Stress. [2021]