Treatment effectiveness of combined medication/behavioural treatment with chinese ADHD children in routine practice.
BACKGROUND
The effectiveness of a combined methylphenidate/behavioural treatment (BT) versus methylphenidate-only for Chinese children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was tested in routine clinical practice in Hong Kong.


METHODS
A randomized group comparison design was adopted with two treatment conditions (methylphenidate-only; methylphenidate/BT), which lasted for 6 months. There were four assessment time points (pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 6-month and 12-month follow-ups), using the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD Symptoms and Normal Behaviours (SWAN) Rating Scale. Parental attitude toward different treatment options of ADHD was also assessed at pre-treatment and post-treatment. Participants included 90 Chinese ADHD children (mean age=8 years, SD=.95).


RESULTS
The combination of BT and a low-dose methylphenidate was significantly more effective than methylphenidate-only in reducing ADHD and ODD symptoms at post-treatment. At follow-ups, the benefits of the combined treatment were maintained, while the methylphenidate-only group caught up in improvement in ADHD symptoms. Parents in both treatment conditions showed improved attitude toward medication after the 6-month treatment phase, while their attitude toward BT was positive all along.


CONCLUSIONS
This study supported the added benefits of BT, on top of medication, for Chinese ADHD children in routine practice with treatments conducted by regular medical and paramedical staffs.
So
Cheryl Y C
CY
Kwai Chung Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong. cheryl-so@cuhk.edu.hk
Leung
Patrick W L
PW
Hung
Se-Fong
SF
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D008774:Methylphenidate