Effects of Methylphenidate on Acute Math Performance in Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Objective: Examine the short-term (acute) effects of methylphenidate (MPH) on math performance in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and what factors predict improvement in math performance. Method:One hundred ninety-eight children with ADHD participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover MPH trial. Math response to MPH was determined through administration of math problems adjusted to their academic level during the Restricted Academic Situation Scale (RASS). Student t tests were conducted to assess change in math performance with psychostimulants. Correlation between change on the RASS and change on the math performance was also examined. Linear regression was performed to determine predictor variables. Results:Children with ADHD improved significantly in their math with MPH (P < 0.001). The degree of improvement on the RASS (which evaluates motor activity and orientation to task) and on math performance on MPH was highly correlated. A child's age at baseline and Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT)-Numerical Operations standard scores at baseline accounted for 15% of variances for acute math improvement.Conclusions: MPH improves acute math performance in children with ADHD. Younger children with lower math scores (as assessed by the WIAT) improved most on math scores when given psychostimulants. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT00483106 W W W Les effets du méthylphénidate sur la performance aiguë en math chez des enfants souffrant du trouble de déficit de l'attention avec hyperactivitéObjectif : Examiner les effets à court terme (aigus) du méthylphénidate (MPH) sur la performance en mathématique chez des enfants souffrant du trouble de déficit de l'attention avec hyperactivité (TDAH), et quels facteurs prédisent une amélioration de la performance en math.Méthode : Cent quatre-vingt-dix-huit enfants souffrant du TDAH ont participé à un essai de MPH croisé, randomisé, à double insu et contrôlé avec placebo. La réponse du MPH en math a été déterminée par l'administration de problèmes de math ajustés à leur niveau scolaire durant la Restricted Academic Situation Scale (RASS). Les tests t de Student ont été menés afin d'évaluer le changement de la performance en math avec les psychostimulants. La corrélation entre le changement à la RASS et le changement de la performance en math a aussi été examinée. Une régression linéaire a été exécutée pour déterminer les variables prédictives.

Comparing treatments for children with ADHD and word reading difficulties: A randomized clinical trial.

“…Unimodal treatments may be insufficient for children with comorbid ADHD/RD. It has been reported that children ages 6–12 with comorbid learning disabilities do not show as much improvement on ADHD symptoms in response to stimulant medication as those with ADHD only (Grizenko, Bhat, Schwartz, Ter-Stepanian, & Joober, 2006). Similarly, higher levels of attentional problems moderated the beneficial effects of phonics-based reading tutoring for kindergarten to first grade children with reading difficulties, such that children with low attention problem scores benefited more from reading intervention than those with higher attention problem scores (Rabiner, Malone, & Conduct Problems Prevention Research, 2004).…”

Combining neuropsychological tests to improve the assessment of arithmetic difficulties in children with ADHD

“…The reason for using MPH was to check how aligned the tests were with their known effects, regarding working memory and attention to improve arithmetic skills 6,7,8 . The identification of arithmetic difficulties according to each test in the context of MPH treatment for ADHD children was analyzed.…”

“…Methylphenidate (MPH) is shown to improve numerical abilities related to working memory functions in children with ADHD 5 . Other studies found that children with ADHD (who were not taking any medication) were more likely to have arithmetic difficulties than their healthy peers, and that taking MPH led to an improvement in arithmetic performance 6,7,8 . At different doses, MPH administration can increase overall academic performance 8 .…”

Effects of methylphenidate on body index and physical fitness in Korean children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

“…MPH is well known to induce dopamine release within the cortico‐striatal‐cerebellum tract associated with skilled motor behaviors (Halsband and Lange, ). MPH has also been previously reported to improve motor activity in children with ADHD (Grizenko et al ., ), as well as postural stability and balance in older adults (Shorer et al ., ). Taken together, MPH may be important role in improving balance and agility in children aged 7–14 years.…”