The Effects of the Combined Treatment of Medication and Parent Training in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD)

Kim, Se Shil; Ahn, Dong Hyun; Lee, Yang Hee

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
We attempted to confirm the effects of the combined treatment of medication and parent training on the behavioral problems of referred ADHD children, the maternal behavior, and the parenting stress of their mothers.
METHODS
Twenty-four children between the ages of 5 to 11 and their mothers were selected as subjects from Child Psychiatric Clinics of Hanyang University Hospital. Three groups were organized : combined treatment group of medication and parent training(N=6) ; wating list group(N=6) ; and medication only group(N=6). Methylphenidate(0.5-0.7 mg/kg/day) was prescribed for children. Mothers of the combined treatment group of medication and parent training and the wating list group attended the parent training once a week for nine weeks and a booster session 4 weeks later. Treatment outcomes were evaluated by comparing both treatment groups at pre- and post-treatment using the various rating scales. Especially the combined treatment group was followed up after 6 months to evaluate the stability of treatment effects.
RESULTS
This study showed greater effectiveness of the combined treatment of medication and parent training relative to the medication only in decreasing the overall behavioral problems of ADHD children and the parenting stress of mothers as well as in increasing the desirable maternal behavior. In addition, these improvements were maintained at 6 month follow-up.
CONCLUSION
The combined treatment of medication and parent training facilitated the behavioral improvement of referred ADHD children in several aspects.