The effects of dextroamphetamine on hyperactive children using multiple outcome measures1

Abstract

Abstract The effects of dextroamphetamine on 15 hyperactive children were evaluated using multiple outcome measures. The outcome measures for each child consisted of the observation of three classroom behaviors by independent observers, performance on three individually administered tests, and daily teacher ratings of three behaviors. The experimental design consisted of an initial baseline followed by alternating administrations of drug and placebo conditions. The results indicated that the drug condition was associated with more positive behavior and less out of group behavior, but no change in negative behavior, as determined by the observational data. Teaching ratings revealed that the children were perceived as shifting activity less and as being less inattentive and impulsive during drug than placebo conditions. No differences were found between drug and placebo conditions for the three individually administered performance tests. The relationship among the various dependent measures and the importance of using multiple outcome measures were discussed.