ADHD Medications Also Improve Quality of Life
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, Aug. 15, 2024 -- Medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are effective at improving quality of life in people with the disorder, according to a review recently published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
Alessio Bellato, Ph.D., from the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom, and colleagues conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the effect of ADHD medication on quality of life.
Based on 17 randomized controlled trials (5,388 participants), the researchers found that amphetamines (Hedge's g = 0.51), methylphenidate (Hedge's g = 0.38), and atomoxetine (Hedge's g = 0.30) were significantly more efficacious than placebo in improving quality of life in people with ADHD, with moderate effect size. These effects were not moderated by the length of intervention for atomoxetine, and did not differ between children/adolescents and adults.
"It could be that reducing the core symptoms of ADHD (inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity) leads to more efficient task management and this results in better academic and professional outcomes," Bellato said in statement. "Medications may also help to stabilize emotional dysregulation, which might promote emotional well-being and higher self-esteem."
One author disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted August 2024
Read this next
Digital Mental Health Games Improve Psychological Outcomes in Youth
THURSDAY, Sept. 26, 2024 -- Gamified digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) may offer benefits for youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or depressive...
Financial Hardship Common in Patients With Cancer
TUESDAY, Sept. 24, 2024 -- Nearly half of patients with cancer experience some level of financial hardship (FH), according to a study published online Aug. 15 in JCO Oncology...
Childhood ADHD Tied to Lower Cognitive Performance in Adulthood
MONDAY, Sept. 23, 2024 -- Childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with impaired cognitive functioning in adulthood, according to a study published...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.