What is it about?

Adults with ADHD often struggle with organizing, managing their time, and sticking to schedules, which can make it hard to attend therapy. This study looks at how teletherapy—therapy done online—can help improve attendance for people with ADHD. The study tested a teletherapy platform called Carepatron, which has features like reminders, flexible scheduling, and the ability to join sessions from multiple devices. The goal was to see if these features made it easier for adults with ADHD to attend therapy sessions compared to in-person therapy. The results showed that these technological features, especially reminders and flexible scheduling, helped improve attendance. In particular, people with certain types of ADHD, like inattentive ADHD, benefited the most from reminders. The study also found that younger people did not necessarily have better attendance, even though they were more comfortable with technology. Overall, the study suggests that teletherapy can be a helpful tool for improving therapy attendance for adults with ADHD, especially when the technology is tailored to individual needs.

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Why is it important?

This is important because many adults with ADHD face challenges that make it hard for them to stick to schedules and attend therapy regularly. Consistent therapy is key to managing ADHD symptoms, but traditional in-person therapy can be difficult for people with ADHD to commit to due to issues with time management, organization, and motivation. By exploring how teletherapy features like reminders, flexible scheduling, and multi-device access can address these challenges, this study shows a way to improve therapy attendance and, ultimately, outcomes for people with ADHD. Improving attendance means better chances for individuals to receive the help they need, which can have a lasting positive impact on their lives. This research highlights the potential of using technology to make therapy more accessible and effective, especially for those who struggle with the logistical side of treatment. It also emphasizes that one-size-fits-all approaches may not be the best, and tailoring treatment to an individual's needs and ADHD subtype can improve success rates.

Perspectives

I am excited by the potential of teletherapy to improve treatment accessibility and engagement for adults with ADHD. Having worked with individuals who struggle with time management and organization, I have seen firsthand how these challenges can hinder their ability to attend therapy consistently. In this study, I aimed to explore how specific teletherapy features—such as automated reminders and flexible scheduling—could help overcome those barriers and make therapy more effective. The results of the study were promising, showing that these technological tools can significantly improve attendance, particularly for people with certain subtypes of ADHD. I believe this research is important because it highlights how technology, when used thoughtfully, can address the unique needs of individuals with ADHD and make therapy more accessible and engaging. As we continue to explore ways to integrate these tools into treatment, it is crucial to remember that personalized approaches, tailored to individual needs, will be key to achieving the best outcomes. This study is just the beginning, and I hope it sparks further research into how we can continue to use technology to enhance the treatment experience for those with ADHD and other executive functioning challenges.

Assoc. Prof. Ezra N. S. Lockhart
National University

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Improving ADHD Treatment Attendance Through Teletherapy: A Quasi-experimental Analysis of Technological Features, Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science, February 2025, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/s41347-025-00490-6.
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