Psychiatrie clinique Libre accès

Abstrait

Does Test Dose of Central Stimulant Influence Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and Activity in Boys with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

Merete Eybye Dam, Katrine Kaastrup Kolmos and Niels Bilenberg

Background: Monitoring the effect of medication by using an objective measure would bring new perspectives to the work with patients suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Objective: In order to objectify and monitor treatment efficiency, a Continuous Performance Test (the QB Test) was used and evaluated in daily clinical practice.

Method: A total of 12 boys aged 8-12 fulfilling diagnostic criteria for ADHD were tested using the QB Test before and after intake of methylphenidate.

Findings: One hour after intake of test dose of medicine, there were significant improvements on numbers of omissions (p=0.014), reaction time (p=0.038), correct responses (p=0.031) and activity (p=0.045). Nonsignificant improvements in reaction time variability (p=0.190) and correct non-responses (p=0.764) were found. Number of guesses and errors of commission were unchanged after medication.

Conclusions: The QB Test can be used to track effects of medication, showing greatest improvement in the most inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive children.