Acute effects of methylphenidate on performance during the Test of Variables of Attention in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Administration of methylphenidate improved commission scores and response time in 57 children with ADHD.

• Cognitive performance was assessed using the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) before and after methylphenidate administration.
• Significant improvements were noted in commission scores and ADHD scores following a single dose of methylphenidate.
• No significant changes were observed in omission scores, response time variability, or response sensitivity.
• The effects of methylphenidate appeared to be more pronounced on impulsivity rather than attention deficiency.
• The latter half of the TOVA may be more sensitive for detecting acute effects of methylphenidate therapy.

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