Table 1.
Group characteristics of children and adolescents in a randomized, placebo‐controlled discontinuation trial of methylphenidate at baseline: comparing a discontinuation group (withdrawal to placebo) and continuation group (continued methylphenidate use)
|
Discontinuation group n = 47 |
Continuation group n = 47 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Age in years, M (SD)[range] a | 13.65 (2.17) [8.5–17.9] | 13.77 (2.05) [10.3–17.9] |
| Methylphenidate start age, M (SD)[range] a | 9.2 (2.3) [3.6–14.1] | 9.3 (2.2) [5.3–14.1] |
| Duration of methylphenidate use, M (SD)[range] a | 4.5 (1.7) [2.0–8.5] | 4.5 (1.4) [2.0–7.2] |
| Methylphenidate dosage, mg/kg per day (SD) a | 0.91 (0.29) | 0.93 (0.31) |
| Study methylphenidate dosage, n (%)b | ||
| 36 mg/day | 23 (48.9%) | 26 (55.3%) |
| 54 mg/day | 24 (51.1%) | 21 (44.7%) |
| Male sex, n (%)b | 34 (72.3%) | 39 (83.0%) |
| IQ, M (SD) a | 94.9 (10.7) | 93.1 (13.0) |
| ADHD‐RS, M (SD) | ||
| Total score | 19.6 (8.9) | 21.4 (9.7) |
| Inattention score | 12.0 (5.7) | 13.8 (6.2) |
| Hyperactivity–impulsivity score | 7.6 (5.0) | 7.6 (5.2) |
| Comorbidities, n (%) b | ||
| ODDb | 0 (0) | 2 (4.3) |
| ASDb | 7 (14.9) | 8 (17) |
| Otherb | 4 (8.5) | 1 (2.1) |
| Co‐medication, n (%) | 22 (46.8%) | 13 (27.7%) |
| Antipsychotic medicationb | 1 (2.1%) | 0 (0.0%) |
| Psychosocial treatment n (%) | ||
| For externalizing problemsb | 4 (8.5%) | 5 (10.6%) |
| For internalizing problemsb | 1 (2.1%) | 3 (6.4%) |
ADHD‐RS, Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder‐Rating Scale; ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder; ODD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder.
Between‐group differences were tested by a aMann–Whitney U test, or bPearson’s chi‐squared test. There were no significant group differences (p < .05).