COMPLETED ADOPTED PROJECT: Comparing pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): systematic review and network meta-analysis
Chief Investigator: Professor Samuele Cortese – University of Southampton
Project Team Members: Professor Andrea Cipriani – University of Oxford, Associate Professor Corentin Gosling – University of Paris Nanterre, France, Dr Luis Faraht – University of São Paulo, Brazil / Yale University Child Study Center, USA, Dr Cinzia Del Giovane – University of Modena and Reggio, Italy
Project partners:
Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Precision Psychiatry Lab, National Institute for Health and Care Research Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK; Oxford Health National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK. Electronic address: edoardo.ostinelli@psych.ox.ac.uk.
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Precision Psychiatry Lab, National Institute for Health and Care Research Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK; Oxford Health National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK.
Department of Psychiatry, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Precision Psychiatry Lab, National Institute for Health and Care Research Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK.
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Institute of Primary Health Care, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Psychology Services, London, UK; Department of Psychology, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland.
Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Health National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK.
The National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Services, Edgware, UK.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
Full team listing including PPI :O stinelli EG, Schulze M, Zangani C, Farhat LC, Tomlinson A, Del Giovane C,
Chamberlain SR, Philipsen A, Young S, Cowen PJ, Bilbow A (PPI), Cipriani A, Cortese S
Ended: 28th February 2024
Background:
It is currently unclear how different treatment options for preschool children with ADHD compare with each other in terms of efficacy and safety. We will use data from available randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and apply an advanced and innovative statistical approach (network meta-analysis) to answer this question.
What did we find out?
We found that Stimulant medications and atomoxetine are the only treatments that clearly help reduce the main symptoms of ADHD in the short term, based on both what patients say and what doctors observe. However, people were less likely to stick with atomoxetine than with a placebo (a dummy pill). There was no evidence available other important things like improving quality of life, and we don’t know much about how well they work in the long run. Non-medication treatments had mixed results depending on who was doing the rating.
This study gives the most complete picture so far of how different treatments for adult ADHD compare to each other. It can help guide treatment choices, but those choices should always be based on a careful look at both the benefits and risks — and on what matters most to the individual.
The study is already informing clinical guidelines, e.g., the ongoing guidelines from APOSARD (USA).
The study has informed a freely available platform (https://ebiadhd-database.org/) that has been utilised by 15,000 colleagues around the world and improved through feedback from 1,000 stakeholders worldwide
See medication and treatment ratings
Next Steps
To test the impact of the platform on knowledge and clinical practice
To contact guideline bodies in the UK (eg NICE) and abroad to bring the network meta-analysis and the related platform to their attention.
