The acute effect of methylphenidate in Brazilian male children and adolescents with ADHD: a randomized clinical trial

J Atten Disord. 2004 Oct;8(2):37-43. doi: 10.1177/108705470400800201.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the acute efficacy of methylphenidate (MPH) in Brazilian male children and adolescents with ADHD.

Method: In a 4-day, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, fix dose escalating, parallel-group trial, 36 ADHD children and adolescents were allocated to two groups: MPH (n = 19) and placebo (n = 17). Participants were evaluated pre- and posttreatment using the 10-item Conners Abbreviated Rating Scale (ABRS), the Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS), and a simplified version of the Continuous Performance Test (CPT).

Results: The MPH group had a significantly greater decrease in ABRS scores and a significantly higher increase in CGAS scores than the placebo group (p < 0.01). The MPH group showed also a significantly higher proportion of patients with a robust improvement (decrement of at least 50% in the ABRS score after the intervention) than the placebo group (p < 0.01). The MPH effect size for the ABRS was 1.05 (95% CI = 0.73-1.37).

Conclusion: Our results extend the efficacy of MPH on the ADHD core symptoms extensively demonstrated in clinical trials with samples from some developed countries to a sample from a developing country where a diverse culture may modulate the clinical presentation of the disorder.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / drug therapy*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / ethnology*
  • Brazil
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / administration & dosage*
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methylphenidate / administration & dosage*
  • Methylphenidate / therapeutic use
  • Psychological Tests
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Methylphenidate