Impact of COVID-19 and Lockdown on Children with ADHD and Their Families-An Online Survey and a Continuity Care Model

Background Little is known about the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on children with attention-deficit hyperkinetic disorder (ADHD). This study aimed to assess the impact of lockdown on children with the ADHD, and their families. Additionally, feasibility of carrying out text message-based intervention was evaluated. Methods An online survey was performed to evaluate the impact of lockdown on children with ADHD and their family members. Additionally, a text message-based intervention was performed over 2 weeks. Along with the text-based intervention, we also provided reading materials and an option of telephonic consultation. Results Of the 80 parents who initially consented to participate, 48 filled the baseline survey, and 41 agreed to receive intervention. Out of 41, 29 filled satisfaction survey. During the lockdown period, there was worsening of symptoms of ADHD in the form of increase (slight or marked) in the activity level (50.1%), irritability (45.8%), and disturbing or disruptive behavior (47.7%) in children. In terms of behavior of family members, there was marked/slight increase in irritability (37.5%), and shouting at the child (43.8%), verbal abuse (25%), and punishing the child (27.1%). Additionally, there was an increase in the praising (67.6%) and spending time with the child (72.9%). Text-based messages on a scale of 0 to 10 were rated as 5.79 for the content, 5.76 for the usefulness, and 6 for satisfaction. Conclusion Lockdown resulted in worsening of symptoms among children of ADHD and it had impact on the interaction pattern of the children and parents. A text message-based intervention is a feasible and possibly acceptable option to deal with the behavioral problem of the children and adolescents with ADHD.

Automated summary

The lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic led to worsening symptoms in children with ADHD and affected the interaction patterns between children and parents. Text message-based intervention was found to be a feasible and potentially acceptable option for addressing behavioral issues in children and adolescents with ADHD.