Effectiveness of Specific Techniques in Behavioral Teacher Training for Childhood ADHD: A Randomized Controlled Microtrial

Anouck I. Staff*, Barbara J. van den Hoofdakker, Saskia van der Oord, Rianne Hornstra, Pieter J. Hoekstra, Jos W.R. Twisk, Jaap Oosterlaan, Marjolein Luman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Objective: Behavioral teacher training is the most effective classroom-based intervention for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, it is currently unknown which components of this intervention add to its effectiveness and for whom these are effective. Method: In this microtrial, teachers of 90 children with impairing levels of ADHD symptoms (6–12 years) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: a short (2 sessions), individualized intervention consisting of either (A) antecedent-based techniques (stimulus control), (B) consequent-based techniques (contingency management) or (C) waitlist. Primary outcome was the average of five daily assessments of four individualized problem behaviors, assessed pre and post intervention and three months later. Moderation analyses were conducted to generate hypotheses on child, teacher and classroom factors that may contribute to technique effectiveness. Results: Multilevel analyses showed that both antecedent- and consequent-based techniques were equally and highly effective in reducing problem behaviors compared to the control condition (Cohen’s d =.9); effects remained stable up to three months later. Child’s age and class size were moderators of technique effectiveness. For younger children, consequent-based techniques were more effective than antecedent-based techniques, whereas for older children the effect was in the opposite direction. Further, beneficial effects of antecedent-based techniques increased when the number of students per class decreased, whilst effectiveness of consequent-based techniques did not depend on class size. Conclusions: This study shows that both antecedent- and consequent-based techniques are highly effective in reducing problem behavior of children with ADHD. Interventions may be adapted to the child’s age and class size.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)763-779
Number of pages17
JournalJournal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology
Volume50
Issue number6
Early online date20 Jun 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Funding

FundersFunder number
Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development
ZonMw729300013
ZonMw

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