Improving Community-Based Care for Adolescents with ADHD: a Randomized Controlled Trial of Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Fidelity Supports.
Margaret H Sibley, Leonard Bickman, David Atkins et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether AI-assisted implementation supports improved delivery of Supporting Teens’ Autonomy Daily (STAND), a cognitive-behavioral treatment blended with Motivational Interviewing, in community care. The study included 51 adolescents with ADHD treated by 23 therapists across three community mental health agencies. Compared with standard supports, the AI-assisted package was associated with more efficient treatment delivery and fewer appointments attended by adolescents. However, MI quality declined significantly over time in the AI-assisted group relative to standard support. Focus groups suggested therapists may have prioritized efficiency over relational aspects of therapy.
Key findings
- AI-assisted supports were associated with more efficient treatment delivery and fewer appointments attended by adolescents.
- MI quality declined significantly over time in the AI-assisted group compared with the standard-support group.
- Therapists in focus groups linked the AI-assisted package with a task-oriented mindset and prioritization of efficiency over relational aspects of therapy.
Why it matters
Implementation tools may help community clinics deliver evidence-based treatment more efficiently, but efficiency alone may not preserve important therapeutic qualities. The reported decline in MI quality highlights the need to assess both delivery processes and patient outcomes when introducing AI-assisted supports into routine mental health care.
What to keep in mind
The trial involved 51 adolescents, 23 therapists, and three community mental health agencies. The abstract does not report mental health outcomes or cost savings; the authors call for a larger trial to examine these.