The Efficacy of Stimulant Drug Treatment for Hyperactivity

Abstract

This investigation reviews 135 studies examining the efficacy of stimulant drug treatment for hyperactivity. Meta-analysis, the analysis of analyses, is the methodological procedure used to integrate research findings. General findings indicate positive effects for drug intervention. In addition, subsets of data illustrating important behavioral, cognitive, and physiological outcomes were examined. Finally, variation among studies in terms of study features, subject characteristics, and design variables were investigated. Findings were compared and contrasted with previous reviews and showed that the extant literature provides a basis for concluding that stimulant drugs are an effective treatment for hyperactivity.

Comparing the efficacy of atypical antipsychotics in open uncontrolled versus double-blind controlled trials in schizophrenia

“…Comparable ideas had been followed much earlier in child and adolescent psychiatry (Sulzbacher 1973;Kavale 1982;Sprafkin and Gadow 1996). However, even after intensive literature research, data are scarce.…”

“…Sulzbacher (1973) concluded that the likelihood of obtaining statistically significant results between controlled studies (between-group testing) and uncontrolled studies (within-subjects testing) was comparable. Kavale similarly reported that the effect sizes for controlled and uncontrolled studies were comparable (Kavale 1982).…”

“…Concerning neuroleptic agents, a recently published meta-analysis could not reveal any significant differences between controlled and uncontrolled trials with regard to five antipsychotic drugs and their efficacy (Pajonk et al 2000). In child and adolescent psychiatry, two meta-analyses have been performed with regard to the treatment of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with methylphenidate (Sulzbacher 1973;Kavale 1982). Sulzbacher (1973) concluded that the likelihood of obtaining statistically significant results between controlled studies (between-group testing) and uncontrolled studies (within-subjects testing) was comparable.…”

Dikkat Eksikliği ve Hiperaktivite Bozukluğunda Duygu Düzenleme Güçlükleri ve Tedavisi

“…Bu kısıtlılığın DEHB zemininde duygu düzenleme güçlük-lerinin tedavi yanıtını belirleme yöntemlerindeki kısıtlılığa bağlı olduğu düşünülmekte-dir. (Kavale 1982, Schachter ve ark. 2001 ancak klinik olarak anlamlı olduğu belirtilmiştir (Rosler ve ark.…”

An agile behavioral model for monitoring the effects of stimulant medication in school settings

“…Once there is agreement to work together on monitoring, contacts can be made by the consultant or physician to pharmacists in an attempt to obtain placebos. As mentioned earlier, placebos are an important component of medication evaluation procedures, but if it is not possible to obtain them, this should not preclude the monitoring of medication, given that the few studies that have examined controlledversus uncontrolled-trials have found that they generate similar findings (Kavale, 1982;. Nevertheless, open evaluations may overestimate the efficacy of medication.…”