Efficacy of Methylphenidate, Psychosocial Treatments and Their Combination in School-Aged Children With ADHD: A Meta-Analysis
Clinical Psychology Review
Van der Oord, S., Prins, P. J. M., et al. (2008).
Clinical Psychology Review, 28(5), 783-800.
This meta-analysis investigates the effects of methylphenidate and psychosocial treatments (e.g., behavioral, cognitive-behavioral) and their combination on oppositional and conduct symptoms, social behaviors, and academic functioning in school-aged children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Not stated
1985-September 2006
Randomized controlled trials
26
Findings demonstrated that social behavior moderately improved after treatment in all treatment conditions of medication alone (effect sizes= 0.62-1.06), psychosocial treatment (i.e. behavioral and cognitive behavioral treatments; effect sizes= 0.54-0.71), or combined treatment (effect sizes= 0.71-1.08) for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Outcomes regarding social behavior and parent-reported oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms were noted to be equal across all three groups (effect sizes= 0.54-0.71). However, psychosocial treatments (effect sizes= 0.75-0.87) were found to be less effective than the medication alone (effect sizes= 1.53-1.83) and combined treatment conditions (effect sizes= 1.77-1.89) regarding ADHD symptoms and teacher-reported ODD symptoms (effect sizes= 0.43, 1.08, and 0.92 respectively). Heterogeneity between studies and small sample sizes were notable limitations for this review. Further research is warranted.
