Effectiveness of Behavioral Therapy on Attention Regulation and Executive Functioning in Children and Adolescents with ADHD

The present study examined whether learning theory-based techniques in a multimodal training lead to an improvement in attention regulation and executive functioning of children and adolescents with ADHD. 45 children and adolescents with ADHD participated for two weeks in a Summercamp Program which included a systematic Response-Cost-Token approach (RCT) and specific attention training. In an experimental pre-post design executive functions were assessed using the Test for Attention Performance (TAP) and the Trail-Making-Test (TMT). The results showed significant improvement in specific neuropsychological functions like attention regulation and inhibitory control. Since all participants discontinued medication before and during the training, these effects refer predominantly on RCT and attention training. Thus, fundamental learning theory-based techniques lead to substantial improvement in neuropsychological functioning of children with ADHD.