Comparing psychological and pharmacological treatments for hyperkinetic boys and their classmates

This study compares the short-term effects of methylphenidate and of teacher consultation on the on task behavior of diagnosed hyperkinetic outpatient boys and selected classmates. Statistically significant treatment effects were found for both drug treated and behaviorally treated hyperkinetic boys; the size of these effects did not differ between the two types of treatment. Within the behavioral group, the treatment effect spilled over, so that there was also a significant treatment effect on overactive classmates of the behaviorally treated hyperkinetic children and a trend toward a significant treatment effect on their average classmates. Some implications of the findings are discussed.This study was supported by grant number MH-22659 from the National Institute of Mental Health.