title: Combined ω3 and ω6 supplementation in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) refractory to methylphenidate treatment: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
abstract: Children (6-12 years) with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) being treated with methylphenidate and standard behavior therapy for more than 6 months, whose parents reported no improvement in behavior and academic learning, were randomly assigned to receive supplementation with a combined ω3 and ω6 preparation or a placebo. Outcome was measured at 3 and 6 months after treatment using a self-assessment checklist completed by the parents. Statistically significant improvement was found in the treatment group compared with the placebo group (P < .01) in the following measures: restlessness, aggressiveness, completing work, and academic performance. Statistically significant improvement was not found at 3 months of treatment between groups but was evident at 6 months of treatment (P < .05) with inattention, impulsiveness, and cooperation with parents and teachers. Distractibility failed to show improvement. Effect sizes ranged from 0.3 to 1.1 at 3 months and 0.2 to 1.4 at 6 months for individual symptom variables.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. hemamali_p@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Hemamali
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Perera
authors.forename: Kamal Chandima
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Jeewandara
authors.forename: Sudarshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seneviratne
authors.forename: Chandima
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guruge
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D008774:Methylphenidate