Occupational Intervention for ADHD

Overseen By Geneviève Sauvé, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Université du Québec a Montréal

Disqualifiers: Receiving psychosocial services

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

60 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

An adaptation of the Minds@Work intervention to improve quality of life at work for adults living with attention deficit disorder with/without hyperactivity (ADHD), following a group format.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Minds@Work-ADHD-Quality of Life for ADHD?

Research on a similar treatment, Work-MAP, shows that a telehealth intervention can improve work performance, executive functions (mental skills like planning and organizing), and quality of life for adults with ADHD. This suggests that the Minds@Work-ADHD-Quality of Life treatment might also be effective in enhancing these areas. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the Minds@Work-ADHD-Quality of Life treatment different from other ADHD treatments?

Minds@Work-ADHD-Quality of Life is unique because it focuses on improving work participation and quality of life through occupational interventions, specifically addressing executive impairments (difficulties in planning, organizing, and managing tasks) in adults with ADHD. Unlike traditional medication, this treatment involves personalized support from occupational specialists to enhance daily functioning and work performance. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults who have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Specific eligibility criteria are not provided, but typically participants would need to meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD and be seeking ways to improve their work life.

Inclusion Criteria

French language proficiency

Score ≤ 4 on Part A of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1)

Currently employed

Exclusion Criteria

I am getting therapy to help improve my quality of life.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive the Minds@Work psychosocial group intervention aimed at improving quality of life at work for ADHD workers

8 weeks

Weekly group sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for maintenance of intervention gains at multiple time points

12 months

Assessments at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-intervention

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Minds@Work-ADHD-Quality of Life

Trial Overview The study is testing an adapted version of the Minds@Work intervention, designed specifically to enhance the quality of work life for those living with ADHD. It's a group-based program that may involve minimal contact with facilitators.

Participant Groups

Group I: Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Minds@Work-ADHD-Quality of Life

Group II: Control Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Minimal contact comparison approach

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Université du Québec a Montréal

Lead Sponsor

Trials

28

Recruited

5,600+

Fonds de recherche du Québec - Société et culture

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

140+

Findings from Research

A randomized controlled trial with 46 adults with ADHD demonstrated that the Work-MAP telehealth intervention significantly improved work performance, executive functions, and quality of life over an 11-week period.

Participants maintained these improvements for up to 3 months after the intervention, indicating the long-term efficacy of this self-tailored, metacognitive approach to occupational therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Work-MAP Telehealth Metacognitive Work-Performance Intervention for Adults With ADHD: Randomized Controlled Trial. Grinblat, N., Rosenblum, S.[2023]

In a study of 414 adult ADHD patients, only 24% were employed, significantly lower than the 79% employment rate in a control group, highlighting the occupational challenges faced by individuals with ADHD.

Early treatment of ADHD, particularly stimulant therapy during childhood, was found to be a strong predictor of adult employment, with an odds ratio of 3.2, suggesting that timely intervention can greatly improve work outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Occupational outcome in adult ADHD: impact of symptom profile, comorbid psychiatric problems, and treatment: a cross-sectional study of 414 clinically diagnosed adult ADHD patients. Halmøy, A., Fasmer, OB., Gillberg, C., et al.[2022]

In a study of 149 adults with ADHD, only 22.2% were employed in ordinary work, significantly lower than the 72% employment rate in the general population, highlighting the functional impairments associated with ADHD.

Factors such as a later age of first treatment with central stimulants and higher levels of inattentiveness were found to negatively predict occupational outcomes, indicating that early intervention may be crucial for improving employment prospects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Functional impairment and occupational outcome in adults with ADHD. Gjervan, B., Torgersen, T., Nordahl, HM., et al.[2022]

A systematic review of 143 studies found that most interventions for adults with ADHD in the workplace focus on pharmacological treatments, which may not be easily applicable in work settings.

Key effective mechanisms identified from psychosocial interventions include group therapy, support from the ADHDers' network, and strong client-patient relationships, highlighting the need for more tailored workplace strategies beyond medication.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A systematic review of interventions to support adults with ADHD at work-Implications from the paucity of context-specific research for theory and practice. Lauder, K., McDowall, A., Tenenbaum, HR.[2022]

In a study involving 20 young adults with ADHD, taking 40 mg of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate significantly improved task completion in a simulated restaurant workplace compared to a placebo.

While the medication enhanced productivity, it did not significantly affect job application quality or interview performance, indicating that additional interventions may be needed to fully support occupational functioning in individuals with ADHD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate for promoting occupational success in adolescents and young adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Gordon, CT., Fabiano, GA., Hulme, KF., et al.[2021]

Young adults with ADHD find that having clear, interesting occupational activities and structured daily routines are crucial for their engagement in work and social environments, as revealed through interviews with eight participants.

Continuous support from occupational specialists is essential for these individuals, helping them to manage executive impairments and maintain healthy routines, highlighting the importance of tailored support in their occupational participation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Needs for occupational assistance among young adults with ADHD to deal with executive impairments and promote occupational participation - a qualitative study. Lyhne, CN., Pedersen, P., Nielsen, CV., et al.[2022]

In a study of 149 adults with ADHD, it was found that the relationship between inattentiveness and occupational outcomes was fully mediated by role-emotion and social functions, indicating these areas are crucial for understanding ADHD's impact on work.

Improving role-emotion and social functions may be important treatment targets for enhancing occupational functioning in ADHD patients, highlighting the need for a holistic approach in managing the disorder.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Functional Impairment Mediates the Relationship Between Adult ADHD Inattentiveness and Occupational Outcome. Gjervan, B., Hjemdal, O., Nordahl, HM.[2018]

The Cognitive-Functional Intervention for Adults (Cog-Fun A) showed significant improvements in occupational performance and quality of life for adults with ADHD, based on a study involving 14 participants over 15 weekly sessions.

Although the intervention was effective immediately after treatment, the benefits in quality of life showed a modest decline at the 3-month follow-up, suggesting the need for ongoing support or reinforcement.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pilot Study of the Cognitive-Functional Intervention for Adults (Cog-Fun A): A Metacognitive-Functional Tool for Adults With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Kastner, L., Velder-Shukrun, Y., Bonne, O., et al.[2022]

References

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

Work-MAP Telehealth Metacognitive Work-Performance Intervention for Adults With ADHD: Randomized Controlled Trial. [2023]

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

Occupational outcome in adult ADHD: impact of symptom profile, comorbid psychiatric problems, and treatment: a cross-sectional study of 414 clinically diagnosed adult ADHD patients. [2022]

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

Functional impairment and occupational outcome in adults with ADHD. [2022]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A systematic review of interventions to support adults with ADHD at work-Implications from the paucity of context-specific research for theory and practice. [2022]

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

Efficacy of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate for promoting occupational success in adolescents and young adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. [2021]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Needs for occupational assistance among young adults with ADHD to deal with executive impairments and promote occupational participation - a qualitative study. [2022]

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

Functional Impairment Mediates the Relationship Between Adult ADHD Inattentiveness and Occupational Outcome. [2018]

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

Pilot Study of the Cognitive-Functional Intervention for Adults (Cog-Fun A): A Metacognitive-Functional Tool for Adults With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. [2022]