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The following text has been machine translated from the German with no human editing.
According to estimates, around two million adults in Germany suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD for short. The number of initial diagnoses in adults has tripled since 2015. Nevertheless, the disorder often remains undiagnosed in adulthood or is inadequately treated. This is where the digital application Attexis comes in. Since last August, statutory health insurance companies have financed its therapeutic use upon presentation of a prescription. 'The app is structured like a behavioural therapy session and helps those affected to cope with situations that are difficult for them,' says psychotherapist Roberto D'Amelio, who developed the dialogues for the digital application. The virtual conversations are supplemented by functions that allow users to monitor themselves and remember what they have learned when undesirable behaviours reoccur.
The dialogues provide app users with practical strategies for everyday life, such as how to stick with something and not let their minds wander. 'We also give tips on how to curb impulsive behaviour, because a core problem with ADHD is that people often act rashly and without much reflection. If they learn to make more conscious decisions and regulate impulsive behaviour, many everyday situations can be better managed ," explains D'Amelio. Adults diagnosed with ADHD often suffer from low self-esteem because they were often 'ostracised' and teased during childhood and adolescence due to their differences. 'To address this, we have incorporated mindfulness-based techniques into the app that help those affected to observe themselves and learn how to act more confidently in certain situations,' explains certified psychologist D'Amelio. He points out that adults with ADHD are often creative and enthusiastic and have the ability to motivate others.
'Our scientific study involved 337 adults aged 18 and older with a confirmed diagnosis of ADHD. In addition to their usual treatment in the form of medication or psychotherapy, they used the Attexis app for three months,' explains Roberto D'Amelio. Compared to a control group without this digital application, the study observed a statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement in the severity of ADHD symptoms. There were also fewer problems in the professional environment and in social interactions, and the self-esteem and quality of life of those affected increased. In addition, depressive symptoms decreased measurably. 'It is particularly noteworthy that digital therapy had a similarly high effect as personal psychotherapy for ADHD. It was also well received by the study participants,' says D'Amelio, summarising the research results.
The digital application is not intended to replace traditional therapies, but rather to complement them or help bridge the gap while waiting for a therapy place. 'We want to close a gap in care, as unfortunately many adults diagnosed with ADHD have to wait a long time for therapy and are often not treated in accordance with guidelines. The digital application is also suitable for use after psychotherapy to stabilise the behavioural changes practised there in everyday and professional life," says Professor Wolfgang Retz, head of the ADHD research outpatient clinic at Saarland University Hospital, who co-supervised the study. He points out that researchers have so far only investigated digital interventions for ADHD in smaller studies. 'The current publication is one of the largest randomised studies on this topic and shows that digital interventions based on cognitive behavioural therapy can be an effective supplement to the treatment of adults with ADHD,' Retz emphasises.
For the randomised controlled study, psychological psychotherapist Roberto D'Amelio, who is currently pursuing his doctorate in this field at Saarland University, collaborated with the ADHD Research Outpatient Clinic at Saarland University Hospital. Professor Petra Retz-Junginger was responsible for the scientific planning and methodological implementation of the study, including the study design, evaluation and statistical analysis. Professor Wolfgang Retz, head of the ADHD Research Outpatient Clinic, accompanied the study in an advisory capacity and supported the project as clinical supervisor. Numerous scientists from the university hospitals in Mainz and Bonn, the universities in Lübeck and Kiel and the Gaia company in Hamburg were also involved. The latter implemented the digital application Attexis didactically and technically and markets it in cooperation with the statutory health insurance companies.
Original publication:
'Effectiveness of attexis, a digital intervention based on cognitive behavioural therapy for adults with ADHD: a randomised controlled trial', Roberto D'Amelio, Linda T. Betz, Sarah M. Jow, Wolfgang Retz, Alexandra Philipsen, Jan Philipp Klein, Eva Fassbinder, Gitta A. Jacob and Petra Retz-Junginger, in: Psychological Medicine. 2026; 56:e54
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291726103390
Questions answered by:
Dipl. Psych. Roberto D'Amelio
Saarland University/Saarland University Hospital
Tel.: +49-6841-161-5850
Email: Roberto.D.Amelio(at)uks.eu
Press photos for download for royalty-free use in connection with this press release.
