[The effects of methylphenidate on various components of visual attention in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder]

Abstract

Objective: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by deficits and impairment in various components of visual attention. Methylphenidate (MPH) is the most commonly prescribed treatment for children with ADHD. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of MPH on visual selective attention, sustained attention, and visual spatial attention in children with ADHD.

Method: The study sample included 43 children (32 boys, 11 girls: age range: 7-12 years) that met the DSM-IV criteria for ADHD and consecutively referred to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Psychiatry Department of Gülhane Military Medical School. ADHD was evaluated with the Child and Adolescent Behavior Disorders Screening and Rating Scale, and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Intervention (MINI) was administered to exclude comorbid diagnoses. Visual selective attention and sustained attention were measured by verbal and non-verbal Cancellation Tests, while visual spatial attention was measured with the Line Orientation Test (LOT).

Results: MPH administration increased the number of correct target detections and decreased the number of omission and commission errors, and shortened the time required for completion on the verbal and non-verbal Cancellation Tests, and also produced a more systematic pattern on the organized letters and figures subtests. MPH administration also improved LOT performance.

Conclusion: The findings show that MPH medication was associated with improved visual selective attention, sustained attention, and visual spatial attention in children with ADHD.