In the largest review of attention‑deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) therapies to date, researchers confirmed that prescription meds remain the most reliable choice for both youngsters and adults. For grown‑ups, cognitive‑behavioural therapy (CBT) also earned strong support. All of these findings come from high‑quality, short‑term clinical trials.
The team, comprised of scholars from Université Paris Nanterre, the Institut Robert‑Debré du Cerveau de l'Enfant, and the University of Southampton, sifted through more than 200 meta‑analyses. Their work examined a broad spectrum of treatments, patient groups, and outcome measures, and was published in The BMJ. Funding was supplied by public research bodies in France and the United Kingdom.
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Key Findings from the Evidence
The analysis highlighted five stimulant or non‑stimulant drugs that consistently outperformed placebos in children and teens. In adults, two medications along with CBT showed solid short‑term benefits. Most of the evidence, however, stops at the few‑month mark, even though many patients stay on treatment for years.
Alternative approaches—such as acupuncture, mindfulness programmes, and regular exercise—showed modest promise, but the studies were small and prone to bias. Research on CBT for younger patients and long‑term mindfulness for adults suffered similar quality issues. Notably, mindfulness was the only non‑pharmacologic option that demonstrated sizable gains in longer follow‑up periods, though the evidence base remains limited.
Why Accurate, Up‑to‑Date Information Matters
Long waiting lists for mental‑health services can push families toward unproven strategies, wasting time and money. By using the shared‑decision‑making web app, patients can make informed choices, stick to their treatment plans, and achieve better outcomes.
Implications for Guidelines and Practice
The full study, titled "Benefits and harms of ADHD interventions: umbrella review and platform for shared decision making," appears online in The BMJ.