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- Study of effectiveness of NUMO application in lowering ADHD symptoms in adults
Low executive functioning in people with ADHD leads to poor adaptation (Barkley, 1997). These
deficits not only affect academic and occupational performance but also interfere with therapeutic interventions, for
example, creating difficulties in doing homework in psychotherapy that itself aims to improve executive functions (Safren
et al., 2005). An app that offers evidence-based exercises could potentially ease cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
homework and/or be an autonomous top-bottom tool (Baumel et al., 2019). One such app is NUMO, which integrates
psychoeducation, task management, and cognitive exercises designed to address ADHD symptoms This study checked
the effectiveness of NUMO app in lowering ADHD symptoms and increasing the quality of life. 87 participants between
25 and 45 years of age were initially included in this study. All of them were previously diagnosed with ADHD and had
never used NUMO before. The exclusion criteria were addictions and schizophrenia/psychosis. It was decided to run a
quasi-experiment, that permitted to follow the natural behavioural patterns of the participants. 53 of them were therefore
analyzed as the high-intensity group and 10 as the low-intensity group. Some others were excluded as they did not follow
any constant pattern of interaction with the app or dropped-out. There is a need to mention that the participants were
motivated to continue the interaction with NUMO by a gift certificate they received after this 3 month. There were used
paired samples t-tests to compare pre- and post-experimental results in Conners (Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scales –
CAARS) screening form and questions regarding the quality of life. The significant difference in every Conners screening
form scale and the questions on quality of life was found in the results of the high-intensity group before and after using
NUMO for 3 months. Meanwhile, the low-intensity group that used NUMO occasionally and with low-intensity showed
some dynamics, but it was less significant. NUMO application is effective in lowering ADHD symptoms and improving
the quality of life in adult people with ADHD. However, the findings suggest that continuous engagement with the app is
necessary to achieve optimal results, consistent with the notion that sustained and intence interventions are needed to
drive neuroplastic changes and lasting behavioral improvements (Kazdin, 2017).
ANTSHEL, K.M., FARAONE, S.V., & HARTSOUGH, C.S. (2011). Cognitive behavioral treatment outcomes in adolescents with ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders, 15 (6), 437-451.
doi.org/10.1177/1087054710373534BARKLEY, R.A. (1997). ADHD and the nature of self-control. Guilford Press.
BARKLEY, R.A. (2006). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
BAUMEL, A., EDAN, S., & KANE, J.M. (2019). Digital interventions for the treatment of ADHD: The present and future. Journal of Attention Disorders, 23 (2), 127-133.
doi.org/10.1177/1087054716680472BAUMEL, A., MUENCH, F., & KANE, J.M. (2019). Digital interventions for mental health: Opportunities and challenges. World Psychiatry, 18 (2), 237-245.
doi.org/10.1002/wps.20643BECK, A.T. (2011). Cognitive therapy of depression. Guilford Press.
BIEDERMAN, J., & FARAONE, S.V. (2005). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The Lancet, 366 (9481), 237-248.
doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(05)66906-7KAZDIN, A.E. (2017). Innovations in psychosocial interventions and their delivery: Leveraging cutting-edge science to improve the world’s mental health. Oxford University Press.
KESSLER, R.C., BERGLUND, P., DEMLER, O., JIN, R.,MERIKANGAS, K.R., & WALTERS, E.E. (2005). Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62 (6), 593-602.
doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.593SAFREN, S.A., SPRICH, S., CHULVICK, S., & OTTO, M.W. (2005). Psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 27 (2), 349-360.
doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2005.01.004TOROUS, J., ROSENBAUM, A., & WYKES, T. (2018). The growing field of digital psychiatry: Current evidence and the future of apps and wearables. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 26 (3), 121-129.
doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000192WILENS, T.E., BIEDERMAN, J., & SPENCER, T.J. (2002). Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder across the lifespan. Annual Review of Medicine, 53, 113-131.
doi.org/10.1146/annurev.med.53.101501.115137WILLCUTT, E.G., DOYLE, A.E., NIGG, J.T., FARAONE, S.V., & PENNINGTON, B.F. (2005). Validity of the executive function theory of ADHD: A meta-analytic review. Biological Psychiatry,57 (11), 1336-1346.
doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2005.02.005First published December 22, 2024
First published December 22, 2024
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