title: Comparison of therapeutic effects of omega-3 and methylphenidate (ritalin(®)) in treating children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a fixed pattern of disregard and hyperactivity that is much more severe than what is normal in children of the same age. Multiple drugs are used for the treatment of children with ADHD; however, their side effects and efficacy are not clearly known. This study was designed to evaluate and compare the therapeutic effects of two drugs, that is, omega-3 and methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin(®)), used to treat patients with ADHD.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomized, placebo control clinical trial in Yazd, Iran, 85 ADHD children were divided into two experimental and one control groups. Thus, 29 subjects were treated with Ritalin(®), 28 subjects received omega-3, and the remaining 28 received placebo. The data collection tools used in this study consisted of the Conners' Parent Rating Scale and Teacher Rating Scale. The scores obtained from these questionnaires were analyzed using chi-square test and paired t-test in PASW Statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average age of the population was 8.22 (± 1.65) years. Significant associations were observed between Ritalin(®) therapy and the changes before and after the treatment, and the omega-3 treatment and the changes before and after treatment (p < 0.001). There was no significant association between the placebo group and the changes before and after the treatment (p > 0.050). Omega-3 had considerable efficacy as well as Ritalin(®) (P = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More attention should be given to screening, prevention, and treatment with omega-3 and its effective role in the development of the brain and mental health, and increasing children's attention span and thinking ability.
authors: Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran.
authors: Naser
authors: N
authors: Dashti
authors: Resident, Department of General Surgery, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
authors: Hoda
authors: H
authors: Hekmat
authors: General Practitioner, School of Medicine, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran.
authors: Hamid Reza
authors: HR
authors: Soltani
authors: Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran.
authors: Abolghasem
authors: A
authors: Rahimdel
authors: General Practitioner, School of Medicine, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran.
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Javaherchian
keywords: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); Methylphenidate; Omega-3; Ritalin®