Personalized ADHD Medication Experiments to Inform Decisions About Continued Medication Use: An Open-Label Trial

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Psychology
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often requires long-term medication management.
• Adolescents with ADHD may question their current stimulant medication regimens.
• Transitioning from family-centered to self-management of ADHD treatment is a critical developmental stage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To pilot test personalized medication experiments for children aged 11-15 with ADHD.
• To assess the feasibility and impact of these experiments on treatment decisions and conflict.

Main Methods:

• An open-label trial involving 30 children with ADHD and their parents.
• Participants engaged in personalized medication experiments for 2-4 weeks after initial tracking.
• Validated measures included the Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) and Decision-Making Involvement Scale (DMIS).

Main Results:

• Common experiments included dose/medication changes (50%) and adjusting timing (36.7%).
• Post-experiment, 46.7% continued the new regimen, while 30% sought further medical consultation.
• Significant reduction in decisional conflict was observed for parents (p=0.01).
• Most parents (83.3%) and children (76.7%) found the experiments helpful.

Conclusions:

• Personalized medication experiments show promise in supporting ADHD treatment transitions.
• This approach can empower adolescents in managing their ADHD.
• Facilitating informed decision-making aids the shift towards self-management.