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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Digital health interventions for children with ADHD

subject

description

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a childhood-onset disorder characterised by a persistent pattern of symptoms of inappropriate and impaired inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity, with difficulties often continuing into adulthood.1 It is estimated to affect 37·1 million children and young people (aged ≤20 years) worldwide.2 Although multiple ADHD treatments are available and widely used (eg, evidence-based behaviour therapy, medications, or a combination of both),3,4 their effectiveness has been questioned because they might not fully address the needs of many children with ADHD. Barriers to evidence-based treatment for ADHD include misconceptions and stigma, time, and complexity of interventions, among others.5 Digital health interventions, such as those delivered via mobile-based, tablet-based, and web-based platforms, offer diverse possibilities of treatment to address many of the barriers because these interventions can be accessed from everywhere, might support integration across multiple settings (eg, home, education, and health services), and can empower the individuals (and families) to take care of themselves. The evidence base for digital mental health interventions is rapidly accumulating.6,7 For example, a 2017 overview with an updated systematic review of randomised trials7identified 21 reviews and 30 randomised controlled trials of digital health interventions for children and young people with mental health problems. Of these, 10 (33%) trials in 853 participants evaluated digital health interventions (including video game programs or computer programs) aimed at improving ADHD outcomes. The review concluded that the effects of digital mental health interventions in managing children with ADHD were uncertain.7 Sí