Objective: The present study investigated the predictive power of anxiety, IQ, severity of ADHD and parental depression on the outcome of treatment in children with ADHD.
Method: Fifty children with ADHD (ages 8-12) were randomized to a 10-week treatment of methylphenidate or to a treatment of methylphenidate combined with multimodal behavior therapy. Prior to treatment predictors were assessed. Outcome was assessed separately for parents and teachers on a composite measure of inattentive, hyperactive, oppositional- and conduct disorder symptoms.
Results: There was neither a significant difference between the two treatments at baseline nor did treatment condition predict outcome. Therefore the data were collapsed across the two treatments. A combination of anxiety and IQ predicted teacher-rated outcome, explaining 18% of the variance. Higher anxiety and higher IQ's indicated better treatment outcome. There were no significant predictors of the parent-rated outcome.
Conclusion: This study showed a small but significant predictive effect of IQ and anxiety on treatment outcome in children with ADHD.
Clinical implications: This study supports the idea that for the treatment of ADHD children with comorbid anxiety and higher IQ respond better to the two most used treatments for ADHD.