Parent training for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Is it as effective when delivered as routine rather than as specialist care?

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of parent training (PT) when delivered as part of specialist tier-two services for preschool AD/HD children has been recently demonstrated. AIMS: To assess the effectiveness of the same PT programme when delivered as part of routine primary care by non-specialist nurses. METHOD: A sample of 89 3-year-old children with preschool AD/HD took part in a controlled trial of an eight-week (one hour a week), health visitor delivered, PT package. Children, allocated randomly to PT (n = 59) and waiting list control (WLC; n = 30) groups, were compared. RESULTS: PT did not reduce AD/HD symptoms. Maternal well-being decreased in both PT and WLC groups. CONCLUSIONS: While PT is an effective intervention for preschool AD/HD when delivered in specialized settings, these benefits do not appear to generalize when programme are delivered as part of routine primary care by non-specialist nurses.