Efficacy of guided and unguided web‐assisted self‐help for parents of children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder and oppositional defiant disorder: A three‐arm randomized controlled trial

• DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.14153
• Publication Date: 2025-03-12T01:00:02Z
• Authors: Manfred Döpfner; Julia Plück; Kerstin Daniela R...; Marie‐Theres Klemp; Judith Mühlenmeister; Laura Wähnke; Martin Hellmich; Stephanie Schürmann; Christina Dose
• Keywords: Conduct disorder

Empirical evidence supports the efficacy of behavioral online parent training. However, further large trials in school-age children with externalizing behavior problems and analyses on impact additional therapist support are needed. This three-arm randomized controlled trial examined guided unguided web-assisted self-help (WASH) for parents problems. Parents 431 (6-12 years) elevated symptoms were randomly assigned to either treatment as usual (TAU), a 6-month WASH intervention (WASH+TAU), or plus telephone-based (WASH+S+TAU). Assessments took place at baseline 3, 6, 12 months. The primary outcome was child rated by clinician blinded condition; secondary outcomes parent-rated symptoms, internalizing functional impairment, quality life, parenting practices, parental symptoms. (German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS): DRKS00013456; URL: https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00013456; registered January 3rd 2018). Linear mixed models repeated measures revealed significant overall effect clinician-rated 6 months both intention-to-treat sample per-protocol samples, least 25% (PP25) 40% utilization (PP40), respectively (intention-to-treat: p = .017). Subsequent pairwise comparisons greater symptom reduction WASH+S+TAU than other conditions vs. WASH+TAU: .029, d -0.28, 95% CI [-0.54, -0.03]; TAU: .009, 0.34 [-0.59, -0.09]). At months, only emerged PP40 (p .035). Secondary an impairment (intention-to-treat analyses) negative behaviors sample. For variables, demonstrated differences between TAU. Parent-directed is effective reducing but when combined support.