Why This Study Matters

Not everyone with ADHD chooses medication, and many people want additional strategies beyond medication. Understanding which psychological approaches are most helpful can guide treatment decisions.

What the Study Looked At

This systematic review and network meta-analysis compared ten non-pharmacological treatments for adults with ADHD, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based therapy, neurofeedback, and working-memory training.

Key Findings

• CBT showed the strongest evidence for improving ADHD symptoms.
• CBT also helped reduce depression and anxiety symptoms.
• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and psychoeducation showed favorable effects.
• Evidence for other approaches was limited or inconsistent.

My Take

CBT has become the most studied psychotherapy for adult ADHD. In therapy, the emphasis is often on practical strategies—planning, organization, and time management—rather than purely insight-oriented work. This review reinforces that structured, skills-based therapy can be helpful for many adults. That said, therapy effects are typically more modest than medication effects for core symptoms. In practice, therapy and medication often work best together.

Source
Yang X, Zhang L, Yu J, Wang M. Short-term and long-term effect of non-pharmacotherapy for adults with ADHD: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Front Psychiatry. 2025 Jan 31;16:1516878. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1516878

If you're seeking evaluation or treatment for adult ADHD in the Bay Area, learn more about our approach here.