A 10-week group time course worked no better than one-to-one therapy

The study

1. 01

   Who took part

   75 adults in Sweden, aged 19 to 61 and about 32 on average, who said they struggled to manage their time. Most had ADHD or autism; others had a mood disorder or were waiting for a diagnosis.

2. 02

   What they did

   One group was offered 10 weekly group sessions of up to 2 hours each. They learned about calendars, energy, sleep and wake rhythm, and how long tasks take. People went to about 6. The other group got their usual one-to-one sessions with a therapist, about 6 on average. Most got timers and calendars, help to use them, and facts about their diagnosis.

3. 03

   What happened

   Both groups rated their time management better at the end and three months later, with no clear difference between them. The one-to-one group rated their planning and their handling of feelings better than the course group did. Many people dropped out, mostly from the group course.

What the study found

1. No difference

   A 10-week group course helped people rate their time use no better than one-to-one help with timers and calendars.

   • Action: Plan your weekused
   • Action: Learn how the problem worksused
   • Rule: Practise with a groupused

   Small randomised trial of 75 adults with ADHD, autism or similar diagnoses · vs one-to-one therapy with timers and calendars · they rated themselves · ⚠ many people dropped out

2. Helped

   One-to-one help suited to each person improved how well people said they plan more than the group course did.

   • Rule: Use the method that fits youtested
   • Action: Plan your weekused
   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Small randomised trial of 75 adults with ADHD, autism or similar diagnoses · vs a 10-week group course on managing time · they rated themselves · ⚠ many people dropped out

Source