Stimulant Effects on Disruptive Behavior in ADHD
This study is looking at how stimulant medication affects disruptive behaviors in children and adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Researchers want to understand how stimulants impact a child's behavior, their preferences for activities and items, and their choices. The study will compare these behaviors when a child is taking their stimulant medication versus when they are not. This research aims to improve how we evaluate the effects of stimulant medication. Children aged 4 to 12 years old who have been diagnosed with ADHD and exhibit disruptive behavior may be able to join. The study plans to enroll 10 participants, but its current status is unclear.
- Study design
- This is an interventional study that plans to enroll 10 participants. It will compare behaviors when participants are on and off stimulant medication.
- What's involved
- You would have an initial interview, followed by two assessment phases with weekly visits. Phase I involves four visits, each lasting about 2 hours, and Phase II involves four visits, each lasting about 1 hour.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- Behavioral function, item preference, and preference for social and non-social activities will be measured weekly for up to 8 weeks.
AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.
Stimulant Effects on Disruptive Behavior
At a glance
Conditions
Where it's being run
1 sites across 1 statesStudy leadership
- Matthew J O'Brien, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Iowa
Who to contact
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What this trial measures
- Change in Behavioral FunctionWeekly (at each visit): week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4; Change in behavioral function will be compared using data from weeks one and three (on medication) versus weeks two and four (off medication).
Data will be collected and graphed on the frequency (rate per minute) of problem behavior. Visual inspection of graphs will determine differentiation across the four conditions (three test conditions and the freeplay/control condition) to identify the function(s) of the target behavior. Changes in behavioral function will be determined by comparing data week to week for the first four weeks. Behavioral function while on medication, which will occur at week one and week three will be compared to behavioral function at week two and week four. Differences between weeks one and three and weeks two and four will be considered as change in behavioral function.
- Change in Item PreferenceWeekly (at each visit): week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, week 6, week, 7, week 8; we will compare data from weeks 1, 3, 5, and 7 (on medication) versus weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8 (off medication)
Data on change in item preference will be collected week to week for all eight weeks. We will determine preference for an item/activity based upon the duration of time engaged with an item in the therapy room during the free operant preference assessment. Data will be compared week to week, with a focus on changes from weeks one, three, five, and seven (on medication) to weeks two, four, six, and eight (off medication). Differences in item engagement will indicate difference in item preference.
- Change in Preference for Social and Non-Social ActivitiesWeekly (at each visit): week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, week 6, week, 7, week 8; Changes in preference will be determined weekly, with a focus on differences between time points on medication and weeks off of medication.
Data will be collected on the percentage of trials an activity is selected and whether it was selected with attention or without attention for each item/activity in the therapy room of the multiple stimulus without replacement assessment. Preference for social versus non-social activities will be determined by the participant's selection during the multiple stimulus without replacement assessment. The change in preference for activities with attention and activities without attention will be determined by comparing data weekly, with a focus on differences between data in weeks 1, 3, 5, and 7 (on medication) versus weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8 (off medication).
- Changes in Impulsivity in Choice-MakingWeekly (at each visit): week 5, week 6, week 7, week 8
Data will be collected on the sequence chosen by the subject and scored based upon the degree to which work sessions were placed up front and play activities were placed at the end. Choices whereby play activities are front loaded (i.e., more play activities earlier in the schedule) will be scored as more impulsive on a point system and choices whereby work activities are front loaded (i.e., more work activities earlier in the schedule) will be scored as less impulsive. Differences in impulsivity will be determined on a week to week basis, with a focus on differences between weeks on medication (weeks 5 and 7) and weeks off of medication (weeks 6 and 8).