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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderPhase 4NCT02501798

The Effects of Long-acting Methylphenidate on Academic Activity and Related Constructs in Children With ADHD

A Phase 4 study testing Methylphenidate in people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, run by VU University of Amsterdam at 1 site in Netherlands.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This study aims at investigating the direct effects of methylphenidate on school performance of primary school children. Although behavioral effects of this frequently prescribed drug are thoroughly studied (and confirmed), the effects of methylphenidate on school performance are less clear. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 8 to 12 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
What is being tested?
Methylphenidate
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
61 participants
Where
1 siteNetherlands
Study dates
Jan 2013to May 2016
Phase
Phase 4
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 8 to 12 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • ADHD diagnosis (DSM-IV)
  • primary school education
  • sufficient knowledge of Dutch language

Who cannot join

  • neurological or psychiatric disorder other than ODD, CD, learning disorder, dyslexia, anxiety disorder
  • Healthy volunteers are accepted for the control group

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Netherlands1 site
  • Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

    Amsterdam, 1081BT

Other trials in Netherlands

About this study

Official title: The Effects of Long-acting Methylphenidate on Academic Activity and Related Constructs in Children With ADHD: A Randomised Placebo Controlled Trial

This study aims at investigating the direct effects of methylphenidate on school performance of primary school children. Although behavioral effects of this frequently prescribed drug are thoroughly studied (and confirmed), the effects of methylphenidate on school performance are less clear. Recent overviews indicate that effects are mainly quantitative and subject-specific. To gain more insight in this issue, the current double blind placebo controlled crossover study investigates not only the effects of methylphenidate on school performance but also it's effect on related variables such as short term memory, motivation and behavior. 60 children with ADHD are included and tested twice (with medication and with placebo) at their primary school.

Read the detailed description

Rationale: ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a common childhood developmental disorder. Besides the behavioural symptoms of ADHD, many children with ADHD experience problems with academic activities. More specifically, these children show problems with math, spelling and reading. The most common treatment for ADHD is medical treatment with methylphenidate (MPH). This treatment is effective in the reduction of ADHD symptoms. However, it is unclear whether treatment with MPH can also improve academic activity. If MPH improves academic activity, it is of great interest to understand which variables influence or mediate this effect. The results from this study can give more insight in the working mechanisms and effectiveness of MPH in reducing the academic problems commonly observed in children with ADHD.

Objectives: The main objective of this study is to assess the impact of MPH on academic activity and to estimate the role of three putative mediators in this relation.

Study design and population: This study is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over design with a patient group and a control group. Main study parameters/endpoints: The main study parameters are changes in academic activity (ability, effort and engagement). In addition, changes in putative mediators are assessed.

Being tested
Methylphenidate, Placebo
Keywords
ADHD, Methylphenidate, Academic, Motivation
Medical subject headings
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • MethylphenidateDrug

    Also called Equasym

    Drug: Methylphenidate

  • PlaceboDrug

    Also called empty capsule

    Drug: Placebo

Study groups in NCT02501798
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Drug: MethylphenidateExperimentalDrug: Methylphenidate 7 days dosage as (prior to study) clinically titrated long acting Equasym (brand)
Receives: Drug: Methylphenidate
Drug: PlaceboActive comparatorDrug: Placebo 7 days Empty green-yellow capsule
Receives: Drug: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Mathematical performance

    A standardized task for mathematics is used. Productivity (% completed) and accuracy (%correct) will be calculated for analysis.

    Measured: 3.5 years

  2. Reading performance

    A standardized task for technical reading ability is used. Productivity (% completed) and accuracy (%correct) will be calculated for analysis.

    Measured: 3.5 years

  3. Spelling performance

    A standardized task for spelling is used. Productivity (% completed) and accuracy (%correct) will be calculated for analysis.

    Measured: 3.5 years

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. Cognitive performance

    Cognitive performance will be measured with standardized tasks for interference control, verbal and spatial working memory. Using principal component analysis a combined (composite) score for cognitive performance will be calculated based on correlations between the measures.

    Measured: 3.5 years

  2. Academic motivation

    Academic motivation will be measured with a questionnaire measuring intrinsic motivation for schoolwork. In addition, an academic competence questionnaire will be completed by children, parents and teachers separately. A composite score will be calculated of these measures.

    Measured: 3.5 years

  3. Classroom behavior

    Classroom behavior will be measured with observation scales (by an independent observer) and behavioral rating scales (completed by teachers). Using principal component analysis, these scales will be combined (composite scores), depending on correlations between the measures.

    Measured: 3.5 years

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted17 Jul 2015 (estimated)
  2. Study startJan 2013
  3. Primary completionJul 2015
  4. Study completionMay 2016

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
61 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02501798
Sponsor's protocol ID
VU-2012-000492-17
Status last verified
May 2016
First submitted
9 Apr 2014
Last updated
13 May 2016
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 4 study testing Methylphenidate in people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, run by VU University of Amsterdam at 1 site in Netherlands.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 May 2016. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Netherlands. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Mathematical performance (time frame: 3.5 years). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 May 2016.

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