A University of Pittsburgh researcher has developed TIPS, a mobile-based (mHealth) cognitive behavioral intervention for people living with ADHD. TIPS, Training Inhibitory control using Personalized Strategies, is designed to help those living with ADHD to monitor, understand, and improve their symptoms. Based on symptoms and related behaviors (e.g., high-risk alcohol use) users are provided with personalized behavioral strategies to exert inhibitory control and alleviate symptoms. TIPS has the potential to change the lives of those living with ADHD allowing them better control of their own symptoms and reducing high-risk dangerous behaviors.
Description
ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder) affects about 10% of young people in the United States and can severely impact on their education and quality of life, making the transition to young adulthood particularly challenging. Additionally, patients with ADHD are at greater risk of high-risk alcohol use and alcohol use disorder. Research has suggested that monitoring of symptoms and direct feedback can reduce symptoms in people with ADHD by increasing self-awareness. TIPS is designed to remind users to log symptom details throughout the day in real-world settings (i.e., ecological momentary assessment) and provides personalized feedback to promote self-awareness and semi-tailored behavioral strategies (i.e., tips) in-the-moment to manage improving the lives of those living with ADHD.
Applications
• ADHD
Advantages
Traditional treatment models to reduce high-risk alcohol use are not suitable for the ADHD population and there is a need to provide tailored interventions. Many patients with ADHD will know what strategies should be deployed to reduce high-risk alcohol use but require real-time and external support to remember when and where to use these tools.
TIPS design is based on the model of ADHD being driven by deficits in executive function, including impacts on self-awareness and inhibitory control. Additionally, forgetfulness and being easily distracted are common symptoms of ADHD. TIPS considers all these factors. As such, TIPS is designed to be a web-based push intervention ensuring users are reminded to monitor their symptoms at fixed points throughout the day and, optionally, during drinking episodes without being distracted by visual aspects of a more complex app. Users are provided with feedback on symptom trends to promote self-awareness. Unlike other ADHD interventions, TIPS offers behavioral strategies based on evidence-based ADHD therapy to counter high-risk alcohol use, which can be initiated during any alcohol consumption. TIPS can also offer other behavioral strategies including tips on sleep, inhibitory control, and managing distractions in real time.
Invention Readiness
TIPS was developed using a community engaged human-centered design approach. Pilot testing was used to optimize TIPS based on user compliance and feedback. A 4.5-week randomized controlled trial in young adults who are heavy drinkers is planned with the potential to develop TIPS to a just-in-time adaptive intervention.
IP Status
Patent Pending
Related Publication(s)
Molina, B. S. G., Walther, C. A. P., Wang, F. L., Kennedy, T. M., Curran, P. J., Gnagy, E. M., & Pedersen, S. L. (2025). Pathways to alcohol use and problems in adulthood for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): The role of common impairments above and beyond ADHD symptom persistence. Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science. https://doi.org/10.1037/abn0000986
