Effects and side effect in the treatment of children with stimulants
Klicpera, C.
Fortschritte der Neurologie Psychiatrie und Ihrer Grenzgebiete 46(7): 392-414
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0015-8194 PMID: 27439 Document Number: 132611
The effects of stimulants on children with disordered behavior patterns were reviewed and were subdivided into short-term and long-term effects. Types of effects (3) were examined and demonstrated in the short-term group on behavior, on the performance in psychological tests and on psychophysiological parameters. A survey of the side-effects of stimulating medicaments were discussed. Comparative studies on the treatment with stimulants and with other medicaments and with behavioral therapy were reviewed. The effect of these medicaments was an inhibition of maladjusted, impulsive behavior and improved attentiveness. Decreased motor activity was seen in few children. Treatment with stimulants was the drug treatment of choice for hyperactive children with regard to effectivity and side effects. Juvenile reaction to stimulants was subject to greater variation than the reaction to other kinds of drug therapy. The short-term effect was considered favorable even when compared with the results obtained via behavioral therapy. Medicaments seemed to exercise only little influence on long-term prognosis.