A review of selected attention-deficit/hyperactivity treatment trials using the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale as an outcome measure
Study | Location | Intervention | Design | Treatment | Endpoint* | Age range (n)† | Measure | Domains with statistically significant improvement |
Maziade et al 35 | Canada | PHARM | OL | ATX | 6 months | 6–11 (16) | WFIRS-P | T, F, S, LS, SC |
Stein et al 48 | USA | PHARM | RCT | ER d-MPH, ER MAS | 8 weeks | 9–17 (65) | WFIRS-P | T, F, S, Soc, RA |
Hantson et al 36 | Canada | PSY | OL | Summer treatment programme | 3 weeks | 6–12 (48) | WFIRS-P | All, large ES |
Banaschewski et al 39 | Europe | PHARM | RCT | LDX, OROS-MPH, placebo | 7 weeks | 6–17 (336) | WFIRS-P | All, largest ES in S for LDX |
Fuentes et al 49 | Europe, Mexico | PHARM | OL, RCT | ATX, OEST | 6–12 months | 6–16 (399) | WFIRS-P | All |
Meisel et al 41 | Spain | PSY+PHARM | RCT | Neurofeedback, MPH | 5 months or 40 sessions | 7–14 (23) | WFIRS-P | T in both groups with large ES |
Zavadenko and Suvorinova 50 | Russia | PHARM | OL | Hopantenic acid | 6–8 months | 6–12 (32) | WFIRS-P | All |
Banaschewski et al 51 | Europe, USA | PHARM | OL, RWP | LDX, placebo | 26 weeks OL, 6 weeks RWP | 6–17 (153) | WFIRS-P | OL: All, greatest S |
Hervas et al 38 | Europe, USA, Canada | PHARM | RCT | GXR, ATX, placebo | 10–13 weeks | 6–17 (338) | WFIRS-P | T, S, F, Soc |
Montoya et al 40 | Spain | PSY+PHARM | RCT | MPH/ATX+psychoeducation, MPH/ATX | 12 months | 6–12 (208) | WFIRS-P | No significant differences between groups |
Gandía-Benetó et al 52 | Spain | PHARM | OL | LDX | 9 months | 6–18 (41) | WFIRS-S | None |
LaCount et al 37 | USA | PSY | OL | CBT | 20 hours in 10 weeks | 18–38 (17) | WFIRS-S | Among completers, S, W (F, Soc, RA were excluded) |
Su et al 10 | China | PHARM | OL | OROS-MPH | 16 weeks | 6–16 (205) | WFIRS-P | Symptom remitters greater functional improvement except RA |
Stein et al 34 | Canada, USA | PHARM | RCT | GXR, placebo | 8 weeks | 6–12 (333) | WFIRS-P | T, F, S, Soc, RA; change in scores was congruent with symptom improvement |
Vidal et al 53 | Spain | PSY | RCT | Group CBT, waitlist control | 12 sessions | 15–21 (119) | WFIRS-S, WFIRS-P | CBT had greater change via the WFIRS-P; at baseline, impairment was greater on WFIRS-S than WFIRS-P |
Wilens et al 33 | USA | PHARM | RCT | GXR, placebo | 13 weeks | 13–17 (401) | WFIRS-P | None |
Nagy et al 54 | Europe, US,A Canada | PHARM | RCT | LDX, ATX | 9 weeks | 6–17 (267) | WFIRS-P3 | LDX>ATX T, S and Soc but all domains improved in both groups |
Newcorn et al 55 | Europe, USA, Canada | PHARM | OL, RWP | GXR, placebo | 13 weeks OL, 26 weeks RWP | 6–17 (316) | WFIRS-P | RWP: the placebo group had significant increases S |
Dose et al 31 | Germany | PSY+PHARM | RCT | TASH+MPH, MPH | 12 months | 6–12 (103) | WFIRS-S | Among TASH completers, all except S (RA was excluded) |
Ni et al 56 | Taiwan | PHARM | RCT | MPH, ATX | 8–10 weeks | 18–50 (63) | WFIRS-S | All |
Zavadenko et al 57 | Russia | PHARM | RCT | Hopantenic, placebo | 4 months | 6–12 (89) | WFIRS-P | S, SC |
This does not represent a systematic review of all studies. All samples were participants with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
*Endpoint is defined as the last visit with valid data.
†Either randomised n or completer n.
ATX, atomoxetine; CBT, cognitive–behavioural therapy; ER d-MPH, extended release dexmethylphenidate; ER MAS, mixed amphetamine salts; ES, effect size; F, Family domain; GXR, guanfacine extended release; LDX, lisdexamfetamine dimesylate; LS, Life Skills; MPH, methylphenidate; OEST, other early standard therapy; OL, open label; OROS-MPH, osmotic release oral-system methylphenidate; PHARM, pharmacological; PSY, psychological; RA, Risky Activities; RCT, randomised controlled trial; RWP, randomised withdrawal period; S, School; SC, Self- Concept; Soc, Social; T, Total score; TASH, telephone-assisted self-help; W, Work; WFIRS-S/P, Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale-Self/Parent.