The first phase was a double-blind crossover design of methylphenidate in the treatment of adult ADHD. The second phase consisted of an open-label extension trial of methylphenidate in adult ADHD. It was hypothesized that methylphenidate would prove more effective than placebo in treating ADHD symptoms during the first phase. It was also hypothesized that methylphenidate responders from the double-blind trial would continue to benefit from treatment in the second phase. Improvement would include both ADHD symptoms and social adjustment.
All patients received a single-blind week on placebo, followed by a double-blind random assignment crossover trial of methylphenidate and placebo, with each double-blind phase lasting two weeks. Subjects who experienced moderate or marked improvement on methylphenidate would be allowed to enter a long-term, open-label trial. ADHD symptom severity was measured monthly by a structured interview, the Wender-Reimherr Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Scale (WRAADDS), Clinical Global Impression - Improvement (CGI-I) and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). Social functioning was assessed by the clinician administered version of the Weissman Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS). Dosing was determined by clinical judgement, symptom improvement and AEs.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
116
Dosing was flexible and dependent on clinical judgement, AEs and treatment response.
Patients were begun at 10 mg t.i.d. and the dose increased as necessary until a maximum dose of 60 mg/day was administered. Frequency could be increased and some patients had dosage schedules of 4 to 6 times per day
Dosing is identical to the MPH arm except that the pills will contain no active medication.
Univ of Utah, School of Medicine, Mood Disorders Clinic
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Wender-Reimherr Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Scale
Time frame: Monthly
Clinical Global Impression - Improvement
Time frame: monthly
The Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF).
Time frame: monthly
The Weissman Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS)
Time frame: At termination
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