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. 2009 Aug 21;15(2):85-90.
doi: 10.1111/j.1475-3588.2009.00538.x.

Undertreatment of Motor Problems in Children with ADHD

Ellen A Fliers  1 , Barbara Franke, Nanda N J Lambregts-Rommelse, Marieke E Altink, Cathelijne J M Buschgens, Maria W G Nijhuis-van der Sanden, Joseph A Sergeant, Stephen V Faraone, Jan K Buitelaar
Affiliations

Undertreatment of Motor Problems in Children with ADHD

Ellen A Fliers et al. Child Adolesc Ment Health. .

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Motor problems occur in 30% to 50% of children with ADHD, and have a severe impact on daily life. In clinical practice there seems to be little attention for this comorbidity with the possible consequence that these motor problems go undertreated. METHOD: Clinical interview and questionnaire survey of treatment by physiotherapy and factors predicting treatment of motor problems in 235 children with ADHD and 108 controls. RESULTS: Half of motor-affected children had received physiotherapy. Treated children had more severe motor problems, and less frequently presented with comorbid anxiety and conduct disorder. Treated and untreated children were similar in age, and rated similarly on ADHD inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive scales and parental socio-economic status. CONCLUSION: Currently, undertreatment of motor problems in ADHD occurs. Behavioural factors play a role in referral and intervention.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement:

SF receives research support from the following sources: McNeil Pediatrics, Eli Lilly & Company, the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Child Health and Development and the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke; is a speaker for the following speaker’s bureaus: Eli Lilly & Company, McNeil Pediatrics, Cephalon, Novartis and Shire Laboratories; has had an advisory or consulting relationship with the following pharmaceutical companies: McNeil Pediatrics, Noven Pharmaceuticals, Shire Laboratories, Cephalon, Novartis and Eli Lilly & Company. JS has been an advisor to Lilly, Janssen-Cilag BV and Shire. JB has been a consultant to / member of advisory board of / and/or speaker for Janssen Cilag BV, Eli Lilly, Bristol-Myer Squibb, UBC, Shire and Medice.

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