Playroom Observations of Hyperactive Children on Medication

The Measurement of the Hyperactive Syndrome in Children

“…This figure is comparable to the low interteacher correlations obtained by Spring (Spring et al, 1977). The HARS measure has been shown to be drug sensitive (Conners et al, 1969;Knights & Hinton, 1969;Rapoport et al, 1971;Werry et al, 1966). According to Knights and Hinton, the items most significantly changed under Ritalin were related to distractibility and activity level.…”

“…Rapoport et al (1971), however, have reported that the score on factor IV correlates "playroom activity change" in an observational study. One other investigation has been located shedding light on the BRS's concurrent validity.…”

“…The "factor scores" also appear to be drug sensitive to Imipramine, Dexedrine, Ritalin, Cylert, and Chlorpromazine. In six studies (Conners, 1969;Conners, Taylor, Meo, Kurtz, & Fournier, 1972;Kupietz et al, 1972;Rapoport, Abramson, Alexander, & Lott, 1971;Rapoport et al, 1974;Waizer, Hoffman, Polizoes, & Englehardt, 1974), factor IV, Hyperactivity, was drug sensitive in all; factor I, Aggressivity, was sensitive in four studies; factor II, Inattentiveness, was sensitive in four; factor V, Sociability, in two; and factor III, Anxiety, in only one (Conners, 1969).…”

“…Using this method, two long-time colleagues were able to demonstrate an interrater reliability of .90 (Werry et al, 1966). In many studies, however, the parents themselves have completed the scale (e.g., Knights & Hinton, 1969;Rapoport et al, 1971). Routh, Schroeder, and O'Tuama (1974), using a shortened 22-item questionnaire version, obtained median interparent correlations of .33 for 140 pairs of parents of normal children.…”

“…Knights & Hinton, 1969). This placebo effect is particularly true of parent ratings (Rapoport et al, 1971). The change in the placebo children may represent a real change attributed to the attention of parents and physician, but it may also result from changes in teacher sensitivity to the rated characteristics.…”