Effectiveness of family bonding therapy supported by child clinical psychomotricity to increase self-regulation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A pilot study

Abstract

Girls and boys diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) need to reduce their symptoms through interventions. A crossover quasi-experimental design has been carried out aimed at both mothers and fathers and their girls and boys diagnosed with ADHD. Specifically, a Family Bonding Therapy (FBT) for mothers and fathers and a Clinical Psychomotor Therapy (CPT) for girls and boys with ADHD. The sample has been made up of three girls and thirteen boys between 5 years 11 months and 9 years old, in addition to their mothers and fathers. The girls and boys have been evaluated at the beginning, middle, and the end of the interventions. Their capacity of self-regulation has been measured through two questionnaires addressed to mothers and fathers (Behavioral Assessment of Executive Function/BRIEF-2 and Behavior Assessment System for children/BASC). The indicators of both questionnaires quantified the change in self-regulation as the response variable. Statistical methods associated with mixed linear models have measure the effect and the order of treatment as explanatory variables. Furthermore, different control variables were incorporated, the initial level of response and covariates such as the anxiety and the adaptability. This study has reported that hyperactivity has proven to be a central symptom to measure self-regulation capacity because it showed a significant association with PBT when applied after CPT, as measured by the BASC. In conclusion, the effect of clinical interventions based on their order favors the reduction of hyperactivity and influences the self-regulation capacity of girls and boys.