The Effect of Methylphenidate on the Verbal Productivity of Children with Cerebral Dysfunction

Abstract

Subjects were 30 children ranging from 8 to 10 years. They were studied to investigate the effect of methylphenidate on the verbal productivity of children of normal intelligence and a diagnosed condition of cerebral dysfunction. Three communicative samples were obtained from each child: one at the initiation of the study, one after administration of methylphenidate, and one following placebo condition. Sequence of drug and placebo medication was randomized. Measures of speech as reflected in mean length of response, one word responses, five longest responses, and number of simple sentences without phrase showed no significant differences. Total number of words spoken, number of responses, and number of incomplete utterances showed significant increase under methylphenidate medication.