Abstract
Introduction: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) leads to cognitive problems in childhood and adolescence, and due to its associated hyperkinesias, it may also result in behavioral problems, which can lead to negative impressions amongst one’s peers. Objective: To assess the impact of hyperkinesia reduction on the attention and behavior profiles of three children with the combined type of ADHD following an intervention featuring psychoactive medication. Methods: This pilot study was conducted at the Laboratory of Learning Difficulties and Disabilities and Attention Disorders (DISAPRE-UNICAMP). Objective data (including mean values of amplitude and frequency of movement over 24 hours) were obtained using an actigraph (a clock-like device), a behavioral assessment scale (the Child Behavior Checklist [CBCL]), and the Strength and Weakness and ADHD Symptoms Normal Behavior (SWAN) rating scale (which was administered by clinicians and school staff members); these were cross-referenced to compare the children’s performance before and after the use of psychoactive medication. The treatment was introduced after 15 days and maintained thereafter for 30 days, and the results were statistically analyzed by means of actigraphic variables (L5 and M10) and by student’s t-test (P < 0.05). Results: There was a simultaneous reduction in the actigraphic index, the attention deficit scores of hyperactivity for both the CBCL and SWAN, and the somatic disorder symptom scores of the CBCL. These results were statistically significant when examining the pre- and post-medication data for each individual in the sample. Conclusion: The reduction in hyperkinesias in the three patients with ADHD resulted in improvements in inattention, somatic symptoms, and emotional symptoms.
Highlights
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) leads to cognitive problems in childhood and adolescence, and due to its associated hyperkinesias, it may result in behavioral problems, which can lead to negative impressions amongst one’s peers
In the three patients studied, the actigraphic records revealed a reduction in daytime and nighttime hyperkinesia, even during sleep, when comparing the records obtained between the pre- and post-medication stages
This scale is easy to use and it is accessible for application by education professionals; it can be administered for various study purposes within the realm of ADHD (Brites, Salgado-Azoni, Ferreira, Lima, & Ciasca, 2015), it is important to note that when the SWAN scale was applied in a double-blind scenario by the clinical team (SWAN-C), there was a significant reduction in the attention deficit score
Summary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) leads to cognitive problems in childhood and adolescence, and due to its associated hyperkinesias, it may result in behavioral problems, which can lead to negative impressions amongst one’s peers. Its prevalence rate is about 5.29% and it is the most common neurobehavioral disorder in this age group and one of the most studied neuropsychiatric conditions in recent times (Castellanos & Tannock, 2002; Barkley, 1997; Polanczyk, Lima, Horta, Biederman, & Rohde, 2007) It is characterized by its chronic nature, and it features a predominantly polygenic etiology, which means that the affected individual shows signs and symptoms of attention deficits, high distractibility, hyperactivity, impulsivity, disorganization, and emotional inadequacy when faced with experiences that require self-regulation within the environment (Sobanski, Banaschewski, Sergeant, & Faraone, 2010). They are often shy and withdrawn with new contacts or in new situations requiring flexibility and consideration of multiple strategies (Sobanski, Banaschewski, Sergeant, & Faraone, 2010)
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