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Modafinil in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Thomas A Rugino1, Teresa C Samsock
1Department of Pediatrics, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia, USA.
Pediatric Neurology
|October 29, 2003
Summary
Modafinil significantly improved attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children, showing greater improvement than placebo. This study suggests modafinil as a viable ADHD treatment option, especially when stimulants are not tolerated.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Psychopharmacology
Background:
- Clinical observations suggested modafinil's potential efficacy in managing attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in pediatric populations.
- Stimulant medications are common ADHD treatments but can be limited by side effects like anorexia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of modafinil in treating ADHD in children using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design.
- To compare the impact of modafinil versus placebo on ADHD symptom severity and overall clinical improvement.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted with 24 children diagnosed with ADHD.
- Participants were evaluated before and after a 5- to 6-week treatment period using the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) and Conners Rating Scales.
- Outcomes included changes in ADHD z scores, total t scores, and clinician-reported improvement levels.
Main Results:
- The modafinil group demonstrated a significant improvement in TOVA ADHD z scores (2.53 S.D.s increase) compared to a decline in the placebo group (P < 0.02).
- Conners Rating Scales ADHD total t scores improved significantly more in the modafinil group (76.6 to 68.2) than in the placebo group (77.7 to 76.0) (P = 0.04).
- A higher proportion of children receiving modafinil (10/11) showed significant improvement versus placebo (3/11) (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Modafinil appears to be an effective treatment for improving ADHD symptoms in children.
- The medication was well-tolerated, with minimal and manageable adverse effects, notably no instances of anorexia.
- Modafinil presents a promising alternative for pediatric ADHD management, particularly for individuals who cannot tolerate stimulant medications due to anorexia.