Randomized controlled trials of psychopharmacological interventions of children and adolescents with conduct...

This study reviews and assesses published psychopharmaceutical randomized controlled trials targeting youths with the singular diagnosis of conduct disorder. Computerized database searches were completed to identify all randomized controlled trials. Fifteen studies were located and reviewed. Of the 15 studies, none were longer than 10 weeks in length, and none had more than 100 participants. The majority were conducted in inpatient hospital settings, with all-male participants. Methodological quality reporting of trials was poor and inconsistent. Findings indicate that there is a need to plan and implement future, lengthy conduct disorder medication trials that follow the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines. The relevance for social work practice and policy is discussed.