Methylphenidate improves reading performance in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and comorbid dyslexia: an unblinded clinical trial.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia are frequently co-occurring disorders. Although methylphenidate (MPH) is the primary treatment for ADHD, the effect on reading in children with these comorbid problems is not yet known. This study was an unblinded clinical trial to evaluate the reading performance before and after treatment with MPH. Reading performance was compared with General Linear Model repeated measures between three groups: (1) an experimental group of children with both ADHD and dyslexia (N = 24), (2) a control group of children with ADHD (N = 9) and (3) a control group of children with dyslexia (N = 10). MPH improved reading performance significantly stronger in the experimental group than in the control groups; the number of correctly read words increased to a larger extent. In conclusion, MPH proved to be an aid in the reading process of children with ADHD and comorbid dyslexia by improving the learning conditions, but MPH cannot cure the reading disorder. Future research should study the effect of MPH on reading in a double-blind clinical trial.
Keulers
Esther H H
EH
Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Brain and Behaviour Institute, Maastricht University, Dr. Tanslaan 12, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. e.keulers@np.unimaas.nl
Hendriksen
Jos G M
JG
Feron
Frans J M
FJ
Wassenberg
Renske
R
Wuisman-Frerker
Mea G F
MG
Jolles
Jelle
J
Vles
Johan S H
JS
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004410:Dyslexia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate