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Early identification of stimulant treatment responders, partial responders and non‐responders using objective measures in children and adolescents with hyperkinetic disorder
Author(s) -
Vogt Carsten,
Williams Tim
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
child and adolescent mental health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.912
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 1475-3588
pISSN - 1475-357X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-3588.2010.00593.x
Subject(s) - stimulant , methylphenidate , population , psychology , medicine , psychiatry , audiology , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , environmental health
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate stimulant medication response following a single dose of methylphenidate (MPH) in children and young people with hyperkinetic disorder using infrared motion analysis combined with a continuous performance task (QbTest system) as objective measures. The hypothesis was put forward that a moderate testdose of stimulant medication could determine a robust treatment response, partial response and non‐response in relation to activity, attention and impulse control measures. Methods: The study included 44 children and young people between the ages of 7–18 years with a diagnosis of hyperkinetic disorder (F90 & F90.1). A single dose‐protocol incorporated the time course effects of both immediate release MPH and extended‐release MPH (Concerta XL, Equasym XL) to determine comparable peak efficacy periods post intake. Results: A robust treatment response with objective measures reverting to the population mean was found in 37 participants (84%). Three participants (7%) demonstrated a partial response to MPH and four participants (9%) were determined as non‐responders due to deteriorating activity measures together with no improvements in attention and impulse control measures. Conclusion: Objective measures provide early into prescribing the opportunity to measure treatment response and monitor adverse reactions to stimulant medication. Most treatment responders demonstrated an effective response to MPH on a moderate testdose facilitating a swift and more optimal titration process.