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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines a new smartphone app designed to assist parents of children with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). The app, part of the Mobile Behavioral Parent Training (mBPT) program, teaches positive parenting techniques through videos and quizzes, and provides real-time feedback to support parenting strategies. Researchers aim to determine if parents find the app helpful and easy to use. Families with children aged 7 to 12 diagnosed with ADHD, and a caregiver willing to use a smartphone app at home, might be suitable for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers families the chance to contribute to innovative research that could enhance parenting strategies for ADHD.

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 prior data suggests that this behavioral intervention is safe for caregivers and children with ADHD?

Research shows that Behavioral Parent Training (BPT) improves behaviors like inattention and hyperactivity in children with ADHD. Previous studies have not identified any serious side effects from this training. This suggests that the mobile app version, Mobile Behavioral Parent Training (mBPT), is likely safe for parents.

Regarding the just-in-time adaptive intervention, which provides parents with timely reminders to stay engaged, studies of similar tools indicate they align well with users' needs and are generally easy to use. No significant health issues have been reported from using these tools.

In summary, both the mBPT app and the just-in-time reminders appear safe for caregivers, with no major side effects reported in similar research. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Mobile Behavioral Parent Training (mBPT) because it offers a fresh approach to managing ADHD through a smartphone-based platform, which is more accessible and convenient than traditional in-person sessions. Unlike standard treatments like medication and face-to-face therapy, mBPT can be easily integrated into daily life, providing parents with real-time strategies and feedback to address their child's behavior. The addition of just-in-time adaptive intervention in one of the trial arms further personalizes support by adapting strategies to current situations, potentially enhancing effectiveness. This innovative method could make ADHD management more flexible and responsive to individual needs, offering hope for better outcomes.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for ADHD?

Research shows that mobile apps for Behavioral Parent Training (BPT) can improve behaviors like inattention and hyperactivity in children with ADHD. Studies have found that parents are very satisfied with mobile BPT, indicating it is well-received. The app offers practical tips, such as giving praise and using effective commands, making it easy for parents to use. In this trial, one group of participants will receive Mobile Behavioral Parent Training (mBPT) only. Another group will receive mBPT combined with Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions (JITAI), which provide personalized support exactly when needed, potentially enhancing parenting strategies. These findings suggest that mobile BPT, especially with personalized prompts, could be a helpful tool for managing ADHD in children. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

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]

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-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]

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]

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]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5364076/

Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions (JITAIs) in Mobile Health JITAI is an intervention design aiming to provide the right type/amount of support, at the right time, by adapting to an individual's changing internal and ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12379403/

Parent training tailored for parents with ADHD: a randomized ... Parents who themselves have Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) tend to benefit less from conventional parent training (PT) ...

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05955274

Mobile Behavioral Parent Training for Childhood ADHD ... The mobile phone application includes behavioral parent training content (for example, praise, effective commands, reward systems) delivered in videos, examples ...

4. researchprotocols.org researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e58917

Just-In-Time Adaptive Interventions to Promote Behavioral ... This study aims to systematically review the literature to describe the landscape of existing JITAIs for behavioral health at any stage of intervention ...

5. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41398-024-02890-3

Improving the efficacy and effectiveness of evidence-based ... We provide an overview of select evidence-based interventions for children and adolescents, highlighting potential approaches to further improving the efficacy ...