Objective: Examine the short-term (acute) effects of methylphenidate (MPH) on math performance in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and what factors predict improvement in math performance.
Method:One hundred ninety-eight children with ADHD participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover MPH trial. Math response to MPH was determined through administration of math problems adjusted to their academic level during the Restricted Academic Situation Scale (RASS). Student t tests were conducted to assess change in math performance with psychostimulants. Correlation between change on the RASS and change on the math performance was also examined. Linear regression was performed to determine predictor variables.
Results:Children with ADHD improved significantly in their math with MPH (P < 0.001). The degree of improvement on the RASS (which evaluates motor activity and orientation to task) and on math performance on MPH was highly correlated. A child's age at baseline and Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT)-Numerical Operations standard scores at baseline accounted for 15% of variances for acute math improvement.Conclusions: MPH improves acute math performance in children with ADHD. Younger children with lower math scores (as assessed by the WIAT) improved most on math scores when given psychostimulants.
Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT00483106
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Les effets du méthylphénidate sur la performance aiguë en math chez des enfants souffrant du trouble de déficit de l'attention avec hyperactivitéObjectif : Examiner les effets à court terme (aigus) du méthylphénidate (MPH) sur la performance en mathématique chez des enfants souffrant du trouble de déficit de l'attention avec hyperactivité (TDAH), et quels facteurs prédisent une amélioration de la performance en math.Méthode : Cent quatre-vingt-dix-huit enfants souffrant du TDAH ont participé à un essai de MPH croisé, randomisé, à double insu et contrôlé avec placebo. La réponse du MPH en math a été déterminée par l'administration de problèmes de math ajustés à leur niveau scolaire durant la Restricted Academic Situation Scale (RASS). Les tests t de Student ont été menés afin d'évaluer le changement de la performance en math avec les psychostimulants. La corrélation entre le changement à la RASS et le changement de la performance en math a aussi été examinée. Une régression linéaire a été exécutée pour déterminer les variables prédictives.
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