Sensitivity of scales to evaluate change in symptomatology with psychostimulants in different ADHD subtypes.

Objective: To assess the sensitivity of scales (Conners' Global Index Parent and Teacher form [CGI-P, CGI-T], Clinical Global Impression Scale [CGI], Continuous Performance Test [CPT], and Restricted Academic Situation Scale [RASS]) in evaluating improvement in symptomatology with methylphenidate in different Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) subtypes.

Method: Four hundred and ninety children (309 with ADHD Combined/Hyperactive [ADHD-CH] and 181 with ADHD Inattentive subtype [ADHD-I]) participated in a two week double-blind placebo-controlled crossover methylphenidate trial.

Results: CGI-P showed small effect size for ADHD-I and medium effect size for the ADHD-CH subtype.