Enhancing ADHD Driving Performance With Stimulant Medication
Status:
Unknown status
Trial end date:
2009-07-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Among children, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with an
increased risk for accidents, especially bicycle and pedestrian (Leibson 2001; Jensen 1988;
DiScala 1998). Anywhere from 40% to 80% of children diagnosed with ADHD continue to display
symptoms of the disorder into adolescence(Barkley 1990; Gittelman 1985). Adolescents with
ADHD are also at an increased risk for driving-related accidents, being 2 to 4 times more
likely to experience a motor vehicle accident (Barkley 1993; Barkley 1996; Cox 2000), 4 times
as likely to be at fault in the accident (Barkley 1993), and over 3 times more likely to
incur associated injuries as a result of the accident(Murphy 1996).
Stimulant treatment with immediate-release methylphenidate (IR MPH) has been demonstrated to
improve driving performance in adolescents with ADHD.
Hypothesis to be Tested:
- Main study: Just as stimulant medication improves simulation and on-road driving
performance of ADHD teenagers, it is hypothesized that stimulant medication will improve
routine driving performance.
- Substudy - Extended wear (15 hours) of Daytrana will lead to safer driving late in the
evening (22:00 and 01:00), when the most dangerous driving mishaps are most likely to
occur, and the next morning at 09:00.