Treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children

ADHD is a common disorder of complex pathology with several possible treatment options. The first-line treatment of ADHD is the prescription of stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate or dexamphetamine. However, this pharmacological intervention does not agree with every child. In addition to perceived social stigma, many children also experience distressing side effects from these medications. Several CAM modalities have gained popularity for the treatment of ADHD in children. The difficulty in assessing the efficacy of such treatments lies in the different definitions of the aetiology of illness, along with the ethical issues that are inherent in such a study. Several studies that consider alternative therapies show potential. However, most of the studies are small-scale and of questionable study design. More reliable, high-quality research is needed to assess the effectiveness of CAM modalities – such as chiropractic care, electro-acupuncture and meditation – in the treatment of ADHD in children.