Sex differences in the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Crespín, Juan Jesús (Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR))
Corrales, Montserrat (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut)
Richarte, Vanesa (Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR))
Parramón Puig, Gemma (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Psiquiatria i de Medicina Legal)
Biel, Santiago (Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR))
Mestres, Ferran (Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR))
Ramos-Sayalero, Carolina (Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR))
Ibáñez, Pol (Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR))
Nieva, Gemma (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut)
Torrent, Carla (Hospital Clínic i Provincial de Barcelona)
Clougher, Derek (Hospital Clínic i Provincial de Barcelona)
Fadeuilhe, Christian (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Psiquiatria i de Medicina Legal)
Amoretti, Silvia (Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR))
Ramos-Quiroga, Josep Antoni (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Psiquiatria i de Medicina Legal)

Fecha:	2026
Resumen:	Background and objectives: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an effective adjunctive treatment for AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This study examined sex differences in the efficacy of a brief 6-session CBT program versus a traditional 12-session format, combined with stable pharmacotherapy, in adults with ADHD. Methods: A total of 81 adults (58 % male; 41. 27 ± 9. 26 years) were randomly assigned to 6- or 12-session CBT. ADHD symptoms, psychopathology, and functioning were assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and 3- and 6-month follow-up. Mixed-effects models analyzed interactions between time, treatment group, and sex. Results: At baseline, females exhibited greater symptom severity (p = 0. 019), higher inattention (p < 0. 001), and more pronounced impairments (p = 0. 004). CBT led to significant clinical improvements regardless of sex. A significant time-by-sex interaction emerged for inattention (CAARS:O:L, p = 0. 043), although it did not remain significant after adjusting for baseline severity. Regarding time × group × sex interactions, females in the 6-session group showed smaller reductions in clinical severity during follow-up (CGI-S, p = 0. 047); however, this effect was no longer statistically significant after controlling for baseline ADHD severity. Findings should be interpreted with caution given the limited female sample at follow-up and the significant influence of initial symptom burden on long-term trajectories. Conclusions: CBT improves ADHD symptoms and related impairments in adults, with comparable overall benefits across sexes. Treatment response follow-up differences were better explained by baseline severity and treatment intensity rather than sex-specific differences.
Ayudas:	Instituto de Salud Carlos III PI24/00671 Instituto de Salud Carlos III PI20/00344 Instituto de Salud Carlos III PI24/00407 Fundació la Marató de TV3 202234-32 European Commission 848228
Derechos:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, i la comunicació pública de l'obra, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original. No es permet la creació d'obres derivades.
Lengua:	Anglès
Documento:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Materia:	ADHD ; Cognitive behavioral therapy ; Sex differences ; Symptom severity
Publicado en:	The European Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 40, Num. 2 (2026) , art. 100345, ISSN 0213-6163

DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpsy.2026.100345

9 p, 929.0 KB

El registro aparece en las colecciones:
Artículos > Artículos de investigación
Artículos > Artículos publicados