Effects of methylphenidate on quality of life in children with both developmental coordination disorder and ADHD

• Published in: Developmental medicine and child neurology 2008-04, Vol.50 (4), p.294-299
• Main Authors: Flapper, Boudien CT, Schoemaker, Marina M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - drug therapy; Attention Deficit Disorders; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Central Nervous System Stimulants - adverse effects; Central Nervous System Stimulants - therapeutic use; Child; Child Behavior; Child Health; Children; Cognitive Development; Comorbidity; Control Groups; Developmental Disabilities; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; Female; Foreign Countries; Humans; Male; Methylphenidate - adverse effects; Methylphenidate - therapeutic use; Motor Activity - drug effects; Motor Skills - drug effects; Motor Skills Disorders - drug therapy; Netherlands; Neurologic Examination - drug effects; Pilot Projects; Program Effectiveness; Psychomotor Skills; Quality of Life; Questionnaires; Social Adjustment; Social Development; Symptoms (Individual Disorders); Therapy; Well Being
• ISSN: 0012-1622; 1469-8749
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2008.02039.x

Measurement of health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in attention‐deficit‐hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) gives a more complete picture of day‐to‐day functioning and treatment effects than behavioural rating alone. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the impact of the combined diagnoses of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and ADHD on HRQOL, and the effectiveness of methylphenidate (MPH) on HRQOL. HRQOL was established using the Dutch‐Child‐AZL‐TNO‐Quality‐of‐Life (DUX‐25) and the TNO‐AZL‐Child‐Quality‐of‐Life (TACQOL) questionnaires, completed by children and parents. HRQOL of these children was compared with that of 23 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. Twenty‐three children (21 males, two females; mean age 8y 6mo, [SD 3mo] range 7y‐10y 8mo) with ADHD/DCD entered a 4‐week, open‐label MPH study, after MPH‐sensitivity was established, in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. In these children's self‐ and proxy reports, impact of both DCD and ADHD was reflected in lower general well‐being (self and proxy report p=0.001) due to lower functioning in motor (selfp=0.026; proxy 0.001), autonomic (self p