[Assessment of methylphenidate and propranolol combination treatment in comparison with methylphenidate and placebo among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]]

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD] is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. Due to significance of this disorder in children and its complications, this study was done to determinate efficacy of propranolol and methylphenidate combination in treatment of ADHD and in control of adverse effects of methylphenidate. This study is a double blind-placebo control clinical trial which was conducted to compare propranolol and methylphenidate combination with placebo and methylphenidate. Thirty children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were assessed by Conner's rating scale [parent version] and psychiatric interview based on DSM-IV-TR and adverse effects check list of stimulant drugs and propranolol during 4 weeks in Ahvaz Golestan hospital child and adolescent psychiatric clinic. Rate of response in combination treatment [methylphenidate and propranolol] group was significantly greater than control group. Combination treatment was more effective in control of hyperactivity and impulsivity than inattention. The most common side effect was anorexia in both groups. Other adverse effects of methylphenidate such as increase of systolic blood pressure and pulse rate, abdominal pain, headache, insomnia and nausea were less common in combination treatment group than placebo group. The results were shown that combination of propranolol and methylphenidate is more effective in treatment of ADHD and decrease of adverse effects of methylphenidate than methylphenidate alone. This combination therapy was more effective in hyperactive-impulsive symptoms rather than inattention

[A] comparison of the effects of reboxetine and placebo on reaction time in adults with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]

Some studies have demonstrated that Reaction Time [RT] is longer in patients with ADHD which in turn may be associated with educational and occupational impairment and increased driving risks. Any alteration on RT which is induced by the treatment in this population may have great consequences positively or negatively. This study was designed to examine the effects of reboxetine on RT in adults with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD]. A total of 30 adult patients with ADHD who did not suffer from any other major psychiatric disorder were eligible to participate in this double blind, placebo controlled study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either reboxetine [4 mg/day for one week, then 8 mg/day] or placebo for 4 weeks. RT was assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks by validated software which collects and analyses the data for auditory and visual stimulants. Numbers of correct responses, omission and substitution errors for each stimulus were calculated. Regarding visual tasks and in comparison with baseline scores, the number of correct responses increased significantly and the number of omission errors decreased significantly after 4 weeks of treatment [P<0.05] in both groups. However, with regard to auditory tasks scores, no significant differences were found at the end of the study compared to the baseline in each of the two groups. Additionally, no significant differences were noted between the two groups when both visual and auditory tasks were considered. Results of this study showed that reboxetine did not affect the RT of the patients when both visual and auditory tasks were assessed. Further studies with larger number of patients and for a longer period of time are required to confirm the result of this study

[Comparing therapeutic effects of reboxetine with placebo in adult patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial]

Attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] in adults is accompanied with different complications such as decreased occupational and educational performance. At present, stimulant drugs are used as the first line treatment in this disorder. However, possible development of side effects and dependence on these drugs are of concern. Therefore, it was decided to evaluate the efficacy of reboxetine in the treatment of adults with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Forty adult diagnosed with ADHD without any significant psychiatric disorder were participated in a 6-weeks a double blind clinical trial with reboxetine [8 mg/d] in two divided doses. The principle measured outcome was the Conner's ADHD Rating Scale [adult version]. Rate of response [decrease of Conner's rating scale scores] in reboxetine group were significantly greater than control group [p<0/001]. Reboxetine may be an effective treatment for the adult with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder