COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS IN ADULTS DIAGNOSED WITH ADHD: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Objective: To analyze recent evidence on interventions based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and third-wave therapies in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), with an emphasis on age at diagnosis and its possible clinical implications. As a secondary objective, the frequency with which age at diagnosis was reported and analyzed in the studies was examined. Method: An integrative literature review was conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE, BIREME/BVS-Saúde, and Cochrane Library databases, including publications from 2021 to March 2026. Empirical studies investigating psychotherapeutic interventions based on CBT, digital CBT-based interventions, or third-wave therapies in adults with ADHD were selected. Results: After screening the PubMed/MEDLINE, BIREME/BVS-Saúde, and Cochrane Library databases, eligible studies on cognitive-behavioral and third-wave interventions in adults with ADHD were identified. Following the search across the three databases, 19 studies were included in the present review. The studies indicated clinical benefits of in-person, online, and digital CBT protocols, as well as interventions based on mindfulness and third-wave therapies, particularly regarding core symptoms, executive functioning, emotional regulation, adherence, acceptability, and overall functioning. Conclusion: Cognitive-behavioral and third-wave interventions are clinically relevant in the treatment of adults with ADHD, particularly when they combine psychoeducation, executive skills training, and cognitive restructuring.