Methylphenidate effect on attentional and cognitive behavior in six- through twelve-year-old males

Attentional and cognitive behavior was studied in 84 learning disabled boys aged 6 through 12 yr., before and during treatment with methylphenidate (Ritalin). The WISC Digit Span and Coding, identified as measures of primarily attentional behavior, showed significant improvement with methylphenidate treatment. Block Design, Picture Arrangement, Mazes, and Non-verbal IQ showed significant improvement as a result of general increase in attentional behavior but the WISC Verbal IQ showed no improvement. Covariates were pretest and posttest age, parental occupational group, and length of treatment. A multivariate analysis of covariance supported the concept that methylphenidate (Ritalin) did improve performance on tests with high attentional component. Implications for the treatment of learning disabled children are discussed.