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BackgroundAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic and progressive mental disorder related to the childhood period. This study aims to compare the oral health of two groups of ADHD children: those under pharmacotherapy and those under neuro-feedback therapy.Material and Methods72 ADHD children (aged 6–12) were divided into two 36 member groups: The pharmacotherapy group and the neuro-feedback therapy group. Unstimulated salivary flow (USF), DMFT, and plaque index were assessed in these children. Statistical analysis was carried out on the data with the independent t-test, which was performed using SPSS 16. The significance level of the study was p<0.05.ResultsIn this study, the USF of ADHD children who used Ritalin was found to be significantly less than that of the neuro-feedback group (1.25 ± 1.21 vs. 1.91 ± 1.16 ml/min; p=0.002). Also, the plaque index (5.9 ± 3.1 vs. 3.94 ± 1.9; p=0.018) and DMFT scores (39% ± 9% vs. 31% ± 9%; p=0.018) were significantly higher for the pharmacotherapy group.ConclusionsNeuro-feedback therapy is preferable to Ritalin treatment for ADHD children in terms of their oral health status. Key words:Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, drug therapy, neurofeedback, oral health.

Background: Executive function of the brain consists of organizing, shifting attention, monitoring, self-regulating, inhibition and working memory, which are diversely affected in attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Parent management training (PMT) is a major intervention for ADHD with significant impact on clinical symptoms. However, little is known about its effect on cognitive aspects of ADHD.

Introduction: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder among children and adolescents. Given the importance of this disorder, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of ADHD and the relevant factors among the elementary school students in Ardabil, Iran. Methods: Using the stratified random cluster sampling method, this cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 2826 schoolchildren aged 6-11 in Ardabil, in the year 2011-2012. The necessary information was collected in the first step employing the ADHD questionnaire based on 18 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-4 th edition (DSM-IV) criteria filled out by parents and teachers. Then the students were interviewed by psychiatrists in the second step. SPSS was used to analyze the research findings. Results: The research results indicated that the lifetime prevalence of ADHD was 9.8%. The most prevalent type of ADHD was the hyperactive-impulsive (6.8%). The results also indicated that the prevalence of ADHD was higher in boys than girls. One-third of affected children were premature at birth and 49.2% had attended kindergartens. The ADHD group was significantly different from the normal students in terms of the average discipline score and the overall grade at school. Conclusion: There is a relatively high prevalence of ADHD in elementary school students; therefore, it is strongly recommended to identify and treat it appropriately in the years prior to school.

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