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Medication and parent training in children with pervasive developmental disorders and serious behavior problems:

Michael G Aman1, Christopher J McDougle, Lawrence Scahill

  • 1The Nisonger Center UCEDD, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210-1257, USA. aman.1@osu.edu

Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
|October 28, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Combined treatment with risperidone and parent training (PT) significantly improved behavioral problems in children with pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs). This approach was more effective than medication alone (MED) and used a lower risperidone dose.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychiatry
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Behavioral Therapy

Background:

  • Children with pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) often exhibit severe behavioral problems.
  • These behaviors can significantly impair daily functioning.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate if combined treatment (COMB) with risperidone and parent training (PT) is superior to medication alone (MED) for severe behavioral issues in children with PDDs.

Main Methods:

  • A 24-week, randomized clinical trial involving 124 children (ages 4-13) with PDDs and severe behaviors.
  • Participants were assigned to COMB (risperidone + PT) or MED (risperidone).
  • The Home Situations Questionnaire (HSQ) was the primary outcome measure.

Main Results:

  • COMB demonstrated superior improvement in behavioral problems compared to MED, as measured by the HSQ (p = .006).
  • Significant reductions were observed in irritability, stereotypic behavior, and hyperactivity/noncompliance with COMB.
  • The COMB group required a lower mean risperidone dose.

Conclusions:

  • Combining medication with parent training is more effective for reducing maladaptive behaviors in children with PDDs than medication alone.
  • This combined approach may allow for a reduced dosage of risperidone.
Abstract

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