Studies reinforce the critical importance of ADHD treatment monitoring

In this study, nearly 600 7-10 year old children with the combined type of ADHD were randomly assigned to one of four treatment conditions: medication treatment, behavior therapy, combined treatment (medication + behavior therapy), or community care, i.e., treatment in the community. Children assigned to the first three groups received their treatment through the study. Those assigned to the community care group received whatever treatment their parents chose to pursue in the community; nearly two-thirds of the time this included medication treatment. Medication treatment in the MTA Study began with a rigorous titration trial in which three different doses of an initial stimulant medication were tried. Feedback on children’s behavior and school performance was obtained from parents and teachers and this information was used to determine the optimal starting dose. If no dose of the initial medication was sufficiently effective, or if it produced adverse effects, a different medication was tried. The goal of this procedure – which is far more extensive than what typically occurs – was to identify the most effective medication and dose to begin each child’s treatment. After treatment began its ongoing effectiveness of treatment was monitored via monthly follow-up visits and phone contact with teachers. The purpose was to learn how well children’s ADHD symptoms were being controlled over time and how well they continued to function in behavioral, academic and social dom...
Source: SharpBrains - Category: Neuroscience Authors: Tags: Attention and ADD/ADHD Cognitive Neuroscience ADHD monitoring ADHD treatment monitoring ADHD-Treatment behavior rating scales behavior-therapy dietary treatment hyperactivity impulsivity medication-treatment psychiatry Source Type: blogs