Additive effects of psychostimulants, parent training, and self-control therapy with ADHD children

Utilizing a double-blind, placebo design, the effects of a high (0.8 mg/kg) and a low (0.4 mg/kg) dose of methylphenidate alone and in combination with behavioral parent training plus child self-control instruction were evaluated with 96 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder children. No evidence of the superiority of the combined conditions relative to medication alone was found. Some limited support was found for the hypothesis that the effects of a high dose of psychostimulant medication could be achieved by combining the low dose with a behavioral intervention. The importance of the latter finding is highlighted by the fact that both the benefits and untoward effects of the psychostimulants appear to increase with the dose.