Children with ADHD and motor dysfunction compared with children with ADHD only

• Published in: Developmental medicine and child neurology 2002-06, Vol.44 (6), p.383-390
• Main Authors: Tervo, Raymond C, Azuma, Scott, Fogas, Bruce, Fiechtner, Helen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anatomy; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - complications; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - drug therapy; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - pathology; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Central Nervous System Stimulants - pharmacology; Child; Comparative Analysis; Coordination; Cross-Over Studies; Developmental Delays; Family Practice (Medicine); Female; Humans; Male; Medical Evaluation; Methylphenidate - pharmacology; Motor Development; Motor Skills Disorders - drug therapy; Motor Skills Disorders - etiology; Motor Skills Disorders - pathology; Original Articles; Physical Disabilities; Physical Examinations; Psychiatry; Rating Scales; Severity of Illness Index; Stimulants; Stimuli; Teaching Methods; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0012-1622; 1469-8749
• DOI: 10.1017/S0012162201002250

The purpose of this study was to identify group differences in children with attention-deficit–hyperactivity disorder and motor dysfunction (ADHD-MD) and ADHD only, and to evaluate the medication responsiveness of ADHD-MD. Sixty-three children (49 males and 14 females; mean age 9 years 10 months, SD 2 years 10 months) underwent a triple blind, placebo-controlled crossover study evaluating two dose levels of methylphenidate (0.3 mg/kg and 0.05 mg/kg, twice daily) and placebo. Forty-nine trials were completed. Nineteen were children with ADHD-MD, 44 had ADHD only. Behavior and functioning were assessed at home and at school. Treatment effects were assessed using the Abbreviated Symptom Questionnaire for Parents and Teachers. Children with ADHD-MD were more likely to have severe ADHD-combined type and other neurodevelopmental and behavioral problems. Both groups of children had a linear dose response to medication (placebo, low, high) and there was no evidence of a group by dose interaction or an overall group effect at home or school. The lack of group effect suggests that these children responded to medication like the other subgroups.