Effects of two treatment techniques on delay and vigilance tasks with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) children.

In this study, we examined the effects of two treatment techniques under on-medication and off-medication conditions on the hyperactive behavior patterns of children. Three groups of subjects were compared: a control group, a behavior modification group, and a cognitive training group. The Gordon Diagnostic System (Gordon, McClure, & Post, 1986) was used to assess the subjects at the initial screening, during treatment without medication, and during treatment with medication. The two medication conditions were counterbalanced during the second and third testing sessions. Results showed that when the cognitive intervention was combined with medication, there was a significant improvement in the subjects' ability to delay impulsive responding. However, no significant effects were seen for sustained vigilance for either the behavioral or cognitive groups. Parents rated children in the cognitive group significantly higher than those in the control group.

[1]  M. Rapport,et al.  Methylphenidate in hyperactive children: Differential effects of dose on academic, learning, and social behavior , 1985, Journal of abnormal child psychology.

[2]  S. Hinshaw,et al.  Cognitive-behavioral therapies for hyperactive children: Premises, problems, and prospects , 1985, Journal of abnormal child psychology.

[3]  R. Barkley.  Hyperactive Children: A Handbook for Diagnosis and Treatment , 1981 .

[4]  D. Safer,et al.  Trends in Medication Treatment of Hyperactive School Children , 1983, Clinical pediatrics.

[5]  J. L. Walker,et al.  Effects of continuous and partial reinforcement and methylphenidate on learning in children with attention deficit disorder. , 1986, Journal of abnormal psychology.

[6]  H. Abikoff.  An Evaluation of Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Hyperactive Children , 1987 .

[7]  S. Hinshaw,et al.  Cognitive-behavioral and pharmacologic interventions for hyperactive boys: comparative and combined effects. , 1984, Journal of consulting and clinical psychology.

[8]  T. Zelniker,et al.  Effects of methylphenidate on hyperactive children's ability to sustain attention. , 1979, Pediatrics.

[9]  Michael Gordon.  The assessment of impulsivity and mediating behaviors in hyperactive and nonhyperactive boys , 1979, Journal of abnormal child psychology.

[10]  D R Ismond,et al.  A naturalistic assessment of the motor activity of hyperactive boys. I. Comparison with normal controls. , 1983, Archives of general psychiatry.

[11]  D. Safer.  Broader clinical considerations in child psychopharmacology practice. , 1983, Comprehensive Psychiatry.

[12]  Ronald T. Brown,et al.  Methylphenidate and cognitive therapy in children with attention deficit disorder: a double-blind trial. , 1986 .

[13]  G. Weiss,et al.  Long-term outcome of hyperactive children. , 1983, The American journal of orthopsychiatry.

[14]  E. K. Sleator,et al.  Methylphenidate in hyperkinetic children: differences in dose effects on impulsive behavior. , 1979, Pediatrics.

[15]  C. Whalen,et al.  Hyperactivity and attention deficits. , 1989, The American psychologist.

[16]  H. Abikoff,et al.  Cognitive training in academically deficient ADDH boys receiving stimulant medication , 1988, Journal of abnormal child psychology.