Medication Versus Behavioral Treatment in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Rachel S. Sagor
Elizabeth Pinsky
A 14-Month Randomized Clinical Trial of Treatment Strategies for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. The MTA Cooperative Group. Multimodal Treatment Study of Children With ADHD
Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1999;56(12):1073–1086
Background
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the most common psychiatric illness among children, has significant effects on social, familial, and academic functioning. Management typically includes medications, behavioral treatment, or a combination of these. Despite short-term data regarding efficacy of these 2 modalities, prior to this study there were no long-term (>4 months) studies comparing these time-intensive interventions.
Objectives
To compare long-term outcomes of different treatment modalities in the management of ADHD.
Methods
Randomized controlled trial at 6 US sites from 1994 to 1998.
Patients
579 children ages 7 to 9 years who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) criteria for ADHD, combined type. Select exclusion criteria: inability to participate in interventions, treatment requirements beyond study ability.
Intervention
Participants were randomized to one of four 14-month long treatments: intensive medication management (monthly 30-minute medication visits); intensive behavioral treatment (parent training, child-focused treatment, and school-based interventions); combination intensive management (all components of intensive medication management and behavioral treatment); or standard community care (formal initial evaluation and subsequent care at provider’s discretion). Side effects were monitored monthly using parent rating scales.
Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Full access? Get Clinical Tree
