Trajectories of symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity over a treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Objective: to verify trajectories of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms along a treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Method: one trial randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of methylphenidate (n = 50) treatment on (n = 50) and placebo (n = 50) on ADHD symptoms at preschool age are currently being conducted. It will be used the modeling of trajectories based on group-based trajectory modeling approach (GBTM) with software implementation statistic STATA. The trajectory in question will be measured using the SNAP-IV, applied in three moments during treatment: week 0 (baseline), week 4 and week 8 (pos-treatment). The final model will be chosen according to the following criteria: lower Bayesian information criteria (BIC), probability of belonging to each group above 80% and theoretic pratic interpretability. The subgroups will be described according to the following variables: treatment, sex of the child, presence of comorbidity, IQ and executive functions of the child, mental health of the main caregiver (ADHD, depression, temperament), irritability and temperament of the child, express emotion of the caregiver.