Original Research
The effect of methylphenidate-OROS® on the narrative ability of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Submitted: 20 August 2016 | Published: 27 February 2017
About the author(s)
Tessa L. Rausch, Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, South AfricaDiane L. Kendall, Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, United States
Sara T. Kover, Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, United States
Elizabeth M. Louw, Department of Statistics, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Ursula L. Zsilavecz, Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Anita van der Merwe, Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Abstract
Method: In a single group off–on medication test design, narratives were obtained from 12 children with ADHD, aged 7–13 years, using wordless picture books. For microstructure, number of words, type–token ratio and mean length of utterance were derived from narrative samples using Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts conventions. For macrostructure, the narratives were coded according to the Narrative Scoring Scheme, which includes seven narrative characteristics, as well as a composite score reflecting the child’s overall narrative ability.
Results: The administration of MPH-OROS® resulted in a significant difference in certain aspects of language macrostructure: cohesion and overall narrative ability. Little effect was noted in microstructure elements.
Conclusion: We observed a positive effect of stimulant medication on the macrostructure, but not on the microstructure, of narrative production. Although stimulant medication improves attention and concentration, it does not improve all aspects of language abilities in children with ADHD. Language difficulties associated with ADHD related to language content and use may be more responsive to stimulant medication than language form, which is likely to be affected by cascading effects of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity beginning very early in life and to progress over a more protracted period. Therefore, a combination of treatments is advocated to ensure that children with ADHD are successful in reaching their full potential.
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Crossref Citations
1. A preliminary study of the effects of stimulant medications on estimates of psycholinguistic abilities for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Sean M. Redmond, Andrea C. Ash, Yue Zhang
Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics vol: 38 issue: 10 first page: 949 year: 2024
doi: 10.1080/02699206.2023.2273750