The Role of Oligoantigenic Diet in Hyperkinetic Children

Abstract

A cross-over 'placebo'-controlled double-blind design was used to exaiine the effectiveness of an oligoantigenic diet in 45 children with hyperactive/disruptive behavior disorder. Effects of diet were coipared to those yielded by stiiulant ledication (lethylphenidate). The study was conducted in a clinic setting; behavior change was leasured in standardized situations by trained raters including behavior assessient during testing with CPT and PAT, during a free play situation and at school. Out of 20 children who exhibited significant behavior iiproveient in two of three ratings under diet, 9 (201) retained as responder after 'placebo'-control. Under repeated leasureient condition response reduced to 9% (N=4). Methylphenidate used in 36 children yielded lore responder (671) than diet. The aiount of positive behavior change in those who received both treatients was about the saie. Although only effective in a Minority of children, dietary treatient cannot be neglected as a possible access in treating hyperactive/disruptive children and lerits further investigation.