Behavioral, Situational, and Temporal Effects of Treatment of ADHD With 
Methylphenidate
Russell J. Schachar, Rosemary Tannock, Charles Cunningham, Penny V. 
Corkum
Abstract
Objective: 
To determine the behavioral, situational, and temporal effects of 4 
months of methylphenidate (MPH) treatment for attention-deficit 
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 
Method: 
Ninety-one children with ADHD were randomly assigned to receive either 
MPH (titrated to a target dose of 0.7 mg/kg twice a day) or a placebo. 
Treatment effects were investigated with measures sensitive to various 
behaviors (core and associated symptoms), situations (home and school), 
time periods (morning and afternoon, after reaching the target dose, and 
after 4 months of treatment), and side effects. 
Results: 
MPH treatment improved symptoms of ADHD and oppositional behavior at 
school, both in the morning and afternoon, but not at home. Side effects 
(increase in physiological and affective symptoms, lack of weight gain) 
were significantly more frequent with MPH than with placebo treatment. 
Benefit was evident after titration, but the onset of some side effects 
was delayed. Side effects were reported by parents but not by teachers. 
Conclusions: 
Positive effects of MPH on behavior are evident in the classroom, but 
with MPH given twice daily, parents do not report that MPH improves 
behavior at home. Greater impact on home behavior may require three 
times daily MPH and combined treatments.
J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 1997, 36(6):754-763. 
               The Few. The Proud. The Chosen.
                     markprobe@aol.com
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 * CMPQwk #1.4 * UNREGISTERED EVALUATION COPY
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