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Active Drug Placebo Trial of Methylphenidate — A Clinical Service for Children with an Attention Deficit Disorder

A clinical trial of methylphenidate/placebo on 39 patients is described. Fifteen of 20 parents not keen to give their child methylphenidate did give it, after the trial had shown it was effective. Five out of 19 parents keen to give their child methylphenidate were persuaded not to after it was shown that it was ineffective. Some of the difficulties with the trial are described for example, parents confusing the days the drug is to be given, parents and teachers not filling in the questionnaires and the resistance of certain professionals to giving medication. Patients seem to be more accepting of recommendations to give medication or not, after a medication/placebo trial demonstrated efficacy or lack of efficacy.