The Efficacy of Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Reducing Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms and Impairment in Indian University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
Background: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder persisting into adulthood is associated with academic and social impairment among university students. Despite a growing burden in India, culturally adapted and scalable interventions remain limited. Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is evidence-based for adult ADHD, but has not been rigorously evaluated in Indian higher education settings. Objective: This randomised controlled trial examined the efficacy of a 26-session culturally adapted group CBT protocol in reducing core ADHD symptoms and executive function impairment among Indian university students in Delhi, compared to a waitlist control. Methods: A total of 674 university students aged 21–26 years who met DSM-5-TR criteria for ADHD were randomly assigned to group CBT (n = 337) or a waitlist control (n = 337). ADHD symptoms and executive functions were assessed using the Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scale and the NIMHANS Neuropsychological Battery at baseline, post-intervention at 12 weeks, and 3-month follow-up. Intent-to-treat analyses were conducted using linear mixed models. Mean session attendance was 89.3%. Results: Compared to controls, the CBT group showed significantly greater reductions in inattention, d = 2.31, p < .001, and hyperactivity-impulsivity, d = 1.58, p < .001, and significant improvements in executive function, d = 1.18, p < .001, at post-intervention. Treatment gains were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Conclusions: Culturally adapted group CBT is an efficacious and scalable intervention for reducing ADHD symptoms and improving executive function in Indian university students. Findings support integrating group CBT into higher-education student support and counselling services. Keywords: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; Cognitive behavioural therapy; Executive function; University students; India; Randomized controlled trial
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BibTeX
@misc{lovakumari2026efficacy,
title = {{The Efficacy of Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Reducing Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms and Impairment in Indian University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial}},
author = {Dr Kadim Lovakumari and Prof Tosendra Dwivedi},
howpublished = {PsyArXiv},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.31234/osf.io/h7m3k_v2},
url = {https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/h7m3k_v2/},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - The Efficacy of Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Reducing Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms and Impairment in Indian University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial
AU - Dr Kadim Lovakumari
AU - Prof Tosendra Dwivedi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/08
PB - PsyArXiv
DO - 10.31234/osf.io/h7m3k_v2
UR - https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/h7m3k_v2/
AB - Background: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder persisting into adulthood is associated with academic and social impairment among university students. Despite a growing burden in India, culturally adapted and scalable interventions remain limited. Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is evidence-based for adult ADHD, but has not been rigorously evaluated in Indian higher education settings. Objective: This randomised controlled trial examined the efficacy of a 26-session culturally adapted group CBT protocol in reducing core ADHD symptoms and executive function impairment among Indian university students in Delhi, compared to a waitlist control. Methods: A total of 674 university students aged 21–26 years who met DSM-5-TR criteria for ADHD were randomly assigned to group CBT (n = 337) or a waitlist control (n = 337). ADHD symptoms and executive functions were assessed using the Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scale and the NIMHANS Neuropsychological Battery at baseline, post-intervention at 12 weeks, and 3-month follow-up. Intent-to-treat analyses were conducted using linear mixed models. Mean session attendance was 89.3%. Results: Compared to controls, the CBT group showed significantly greater reductions in inattention, d = 2.31, p < .001, and hyperactivity-impulsivity, d = 1.58, p < .001, and significant improvements in executive function, d = 1.18, p < .001, at post-intervention. Treatment gains were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Conclusions: Culturally adapted group CBT is an efficacious and scalable intervention for reducing ADHD symptoms and improving executive function in Indian university students. Findings support integrating group CBT into higher-education student support and counselling services. Keywords: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; Cognitive behavioural therapy; Executive function; University students; India; Randomized controlled trial
ER -