A preliminary study on the effect of methylphenidate on motor performance in children with comorbid DCD and ADHD.

Abstract

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) are two developmental disorders with considerable comorbidity. The impact of Methylphenidate (MPH) on ADHD symptoms is well documented. However, the effects of MPH on motor coordination are less studied. We assessed the influence of MPH on motor performance of children with comorbid DCD and ADHD. Participants were 18 children (13 boys, mean age 8.3 years) diagnosed with comorbid DCD and ADHD. A structured clinical interview (K-SADS-PL) was used to determine psychopathology and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Checklist were used to determine criterion for motor deficits. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC) was administrated to all participants once under the influence of MPH and once under a placebo pill condition. The motor tests were administered on two separate days in a double-blinded design. Participants' motor performance with MPH was significantly superior to their performance in the placebo condition. Significant improvement was observed in all the M-ABC sub-tasks except for static balance performance. The findings suggest that MPH improves motor coordination in children with comorbid DCD and ADHD but clinically significant improvement was found in only 33% of the children.

• Authors: Orit Bart, Tamar Podoly, Yair Bar-Haim
• Journal: Research in developmental disabilities (Res Dev Disabil) 2010 Nov-Dec Vol. 31 Issue 6 Pg. 1443-7 ISSN: 1873-3379 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20650602 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Central Nervous System Stimulants
• Methylphenidate

Topics

• Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Central Nervous System Stimulants (administration & dosage)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Comorbidity
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Methylphenidate (administration & dosage)
• Motor Skills (drug effects)
• Motor Skills Disorders (drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Movement (drug effects)
• Pilot Projects
• Postural Balance (drug effects)
• Treatment Outcome