What the study found
The study found that adding an unguided digital intervention to usual care was associated with better health-related quality of life in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. It also found greater improvement in ADHD symptoms in the intervention group than in the control group.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say unguided digital interventions may help lessen the treatment gap, because psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is still underused in Germany and worldwide. They also note that only a small percentage of these patients receive psychotherapy as recommended in guidelines.
What the researchers tested
The researchers ran an open-label, exploratory randomized controlled trial in adults with confirmed ADHD. Participants were recruited at six study centers in Germany and through social media, then randomly assigned to treatment as usual plus an app or to treatment as usual alone.
What worked and what didn't
At 12 weeks, health-related quality of life was better in the intervention group, and 40% of those participants reached a clinically relevant improvement compared with 27% of controls. ADHD symptoms improved more in the intervention group than in the control group, while adherence to the intervention was generally low.
What to keep in mind
The abstract says no standardized diagnostics were conducted within the study. It also states that no conclusions can be drawn about long-term effects.
Key points
- Adults with confirmed ADHD were randomly assigned to an app plus usual care or usual care alone.
- Health-related quality of life at 12 weeks was better in the intervention group.
- Forty percent of the intervention group had clinically relevant quality-of-life improvement, compared with 27% of controls.
- ADHD symptoms improved more in the intervention group than in the control group.
- Adherence to the unguided intervention was generally low.
- The abstract reports no standardized diagnostics and no conclusions about long-term effects.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Digital app intervention improved quality of life in adults with ADHD
- Authors:
- Anna Baumeister, Lea Schuurmans, Daniel Schöttle, Andreas Reif, Kai G Kahl, Steffen Moritz, Anne Karow, Martin Lambert, Felix Betzler, Alexandra Philipsen
- Institutions:
- Asklepios Klinikum Harburg, Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Hanover College, Health Solutions (Sweden), Health Solutions (Sweden), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, University Hospital Bonn, University Hospital Frankfurt, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
- Publication date:
- 2026-07-02
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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