Date of Award
5-4-2024
Degree Type
Evidence-Based Project Report
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Kristine Davis
Abstract
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent, chronic condition with symptoms that include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. ADHD affects six million children in the United States (Tran et al., 2021). The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to implement a holistic office protocol that addressed the chronicity and future health outcomes of children and adolescents, ages 2-17 years with ADHD through stimulant or non-stimulant medication prescriptions, behavioral therapy referrals, and education surrounding diet, and exercise. A comprehensive, systematic literature search yielded 16 articles to determine best practice when treating children and adolescents with ADHD in primary or pediatric care settings. The gold standard treatment included medication and behavioral therapy and additional recommendations included treating the whole person through diet and exercise to combat symptom management and future negative-health outcomes. Initial Vanderbilt and body mass index (BMI) scores were recorded at the time of intervention, followed by 12 weeks of an office protocol that included stimulant or non-stimulant medication prescription, behavioral therapy referrals and education on diet and exercise. Patients and caregivers tracked progress to increase awareness and create conversations at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12. Post-intervention Vanderbilt and BMI scores compared to pre-intervention scores. The Vanderbilt Symptoms and Performance scales and BMI were scored and assessed for normality (Shapiro & Wilk, 1965). The Symptoms scale was judged to be normally distributed; the Performance scale was judged to not be distributed normally, and BMI was judged to be normally distributed. There was no statistical evidence of a decrease in symptoms as measured by the Vanderbilt Symptoms scale. There was statistical evidence of a decrease in performance as operationalized by the Vanderbilt Performance scale. There was no statistical evidence of a decrease in BMI. McNemar’s test revealed no difference between obesity in the pre-intervention and the post-intervention. Further research is needed to address the positive benefits of an office protocol that addresses the chronic nature of ADHD.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Olmos, Kimberly, "Healthier Together: A Holistic Office Protocol Addressing the Chronic Nature of Children and Adolescents with ADHD" (2024). Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports. 204.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/ebpr/204
Included in
Family Medicine Commons, Mental and Social Health Commons, Nursing Commons, Pediatrics Commons, Primary Care Commons
