ROAR-Early Childhood: Pilot Testing a Brief Telemedicine Parent Training Program for Rural Children Diagnosed with ADHD
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| Title: | ROAR-Early Childhood: Pilot Testing a Brief Telemedicine Parent Training Program for Rural Children Diagnosed with ADHD |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | James T. Craig, Michael T. Sanders, Christina C. Moore, Erin Barnett, Kady F. Sternberg (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Attention Disorders. 2026 30(7):857-871. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 15 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (DHHS/PHS) |
| Contract Number: | H79SM082302 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Adult Education |
| Descriptors: | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Rural Areas, Teleconferencing, Parent Education, Outreach Programs, Program Effectiveness, Young Children, Empowerment, Behavior Problems, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Feasibility Studies, Telecommunications, Educational Technology, Access to Education |
| Geographic Terms: | New Hampshire |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: | Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory |
| DOI: | 10.1177/10870547251415434 |
| ISSN: | 1087-0547 1557-1246 |
| Abstract: | Objective: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic and impairing neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed in approximately 2% to 4% of preschool-age children and 9% of all children. Behavioral parent training (BPT) and high-quality education are effective treatments for young children with ADHD; however, poor rates of treatment access and participation limit the reach of BPTs to rural and underserved communities. In this study, we tested the newly developed Rural Outreach and ADHD Research-Early Childhood (ROAR-EC) program, a clinician-led, 7-session education and parent training program designed for delivery over telemedicine. Method: We conducted a pilot RCT to assess the feasibility, acceptability, engagement of mechanism, and exploratory group × time effects of the ROAR-EC program compared to a control group in a sample of 44 children diagnosed with ADHD from a predominantly rural area (ages 3-7; Mage = 4.8; 62% male; 96% White; 89% non-Hispanic/Latinx). Families were randomized into either ROAR-EC or treatment as usual through developmental pediatrics and followed for 24 weeks. Assessed were metrics of feasibility, acceptability, parenting practices, caregiver empowerment, disruptive behaviors, and ADHD symptoms. Results: Results indicated that ROAR-EC was feasible to implement and acceptable to caregivers. Repeated measures ANOVAs found significant group × time interaction effects in favor of the treatment group compared to control for family empowerment, parenting practices, total behavior problems, impairment, and inattentive symptoms. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the promise of brief telemedicine programs as feasible, acceptable, and likely beneficial alternatives to traditional BPTs for young children with ADHD in rural and low-resource areas. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1507677 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | Objective: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic and impairing neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed in approximately 2% to 4% of preschool-age children and 9% of all children. Behavioral parent training (BPT) and high-quality education are effective treatments for young children with ADHD; however, poor rates of treatment access and participation limit the reach of BPTs to rural and underserved communities. In this study, we tested the newly developed Rural Outreach and ADHD Research-Early Childhood (ROAR-EC) program, a clinician-led, 7-session education and parent training program designed for delivery over telemedicine. Method: We conducted a pilot RCT to assess the feasibility, acceptability, engagement of mechanism, and exploratory group × time effects of the ROAR-EC program compared to a control group in a sample of 44 children diagnosed with ADHD from a predominantly rural area (ages 3-7; Mage = 4.8; 62% male; 96% White; 89% non-Hispanic/Latinx). Families were randomized into either ROAR-EC or treatment as usual through developmental pediatrics and followed for 24 weeks. Assessed were metrics of feasibility, acceptability, parenting practices, caregiver empowerment, disruptive behaviors, and ADHD symptoms. Results: Results indicated that ROAR-EC was feasible to implement and acceptable to caregivers. Repeated measures ANOVAs found significant group × time interaction effects in favor of the treatment group compared to control for family empowerment, parenting practices, total behavior problems, impairment, and inattentive symptoms. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the promise of brief telemedicine programs as feasible, acceptable, and likely beneficial alternatives to traditional BPTs for young children with ADHD in rural and low-resource areas. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1087-0547 1557-1246 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/10870547251415434 |
