Effectiveness of a Tailored Intervention for Women With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and ADHD Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Study

Importance: Women with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and ADHD symptoms may experience difficulty carrying out desired life roles and activities. Objective: To determine whether a 7-wk tailored occupation-based intervention can reduce perceived stress and ADHD symptoms and enhance perceived performance of and satisfaction with daily roles and activities among women with ADHD. Design: Randomization to intervention (n = 11) and control (n = 12) groups. Setting: Home and community. Participants: Twenty-three participants ages 20-55 yr, English speaking, and with a self-reported diagnosis of ADHD. Intervention: The intervention was administered for 7 wk in individual 1-hr sessions and addressed routine establishment, organization, time management, stress management, and sensory regulation in the home and community. Outcomes and Measures: Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. Results: At 1-wk postintervention, statistically significant differences were found between intervention and control groups in perceived stress (Z = -3.838, p < .000, d = -2.66), ADHD symptoms (Z = -3.605, p < .000, d = -2.17), and COPM Performance (Z = -4.074, p < .000, d = 3.04) and Satisfaction change scores (Z = -3.759, p < .000, d = 2.82). Conclusion and Relevance: A 7-wk tailored intervention reduced perceived stress and ADHD symptoms and enhanced perceived performance of and satisfaction with desired occupational roles and activities in a sample of women with ADHD. Further research is warranted to determine whether the intervention can be useful to women with ADHD beyond the present sample.