Background Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is frequently associated with emotional dysregulation (ED). ED is characterized by excessive and inappropriate emotional reactions compared to social norms, uncontrolled and rapid shifts in emotion, and attention focused on emotional stimuli. Few studies have evaluated non-pharmacological interventions to improve ED in children with ADHD. The current randomized controlled trial assesses the efficacy of a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention compared with a theater-based intervention (TBI) in children with ADHD and ED. Methods Sixty-eight 7- to 13-year-old children with ADHD and ED will be recruited and randomly assigned to the CBT or TBI group. CBT aims to reduce ED by teaching anger management strategies. TBI seeks to reduce ED by improving emotion understanding and expression through mimics and movement. In both groups, children participate in 15 1-h sessions, and parents participate in 8 sessions of a parent management program. The primary outcome measure is the change in the “Aggression” sub-score of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Secondary outcome measures include overall impairment (Children’s Global Assessment Scale, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), personality profile (Hierarchical Personality Inventory for Children), executive function (Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function), quality of life (Kidscreen-27), parental stress (Parenting Stress Index, 4th edition), parental depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II), and impact of child disorders on the quality of the family life (Parental Quality of Life and Developmental Disorder). Discussion Children with ADHD and ED are at risk of functional impairment and poor outcomes and have specific therapeutic needs. This randomized controlled trial wants to assess non-pharmacological treatment options for this population. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov. NCT03176108. Registered on June 5, 2017.

Criar a un hijo significa ayudarle a desarrollarse y a convertirse en un adulto física y mentalmente sano, adaptado al medio en el que vive. Las dificultades ante la crianza de un hijo son las mismas para los progenitores sanos que para los que padecen una psicosis, pero estos últimos presentan problemas añadidos, ya que la enfermedad y sus síntomas pueden hacer que tengan mayores dificultades en detectar y atender las necesidades del hijo. Está demostrado que entre los hijos de psicóticos existe una mayor vulnerabilidad a padecer trastornos mentales que entre la población general, y muestran tasas más altas de alteraciones de la conducta y de las emociones. Hay una serie de factores que pueden disminuir el riesgo que corren estos niños de sufrir trastornos: recibir unos cuidados básicos adecuados, saber que su padre/madre está enfermo, conocer la enfermedad y expresar sus miedos y temores. Apoyar a los padres en su rol parental y realizar psicoeducación con el niño son indispensables en la ayuda a estas familias, y la labor de la enfermera es primordial en estas intervenciones.