At the class level , behavioural therapy ( alone or in combination with stimulants ) , stimulants , and non-stimulant seemed significantly more efficacious than placebo .
Behavioural therapy in combination with stimulants seemed superior to stimulants or non-stimulants .
Stimulants seemed superior to behavioural therapy , cognitive training and non-stimulants .
Behavioural therapy , stimulants and their combination showed the best profile of acceptability .
Stimulants and non-stimulants seemed well tolerated .
Among medications , methylpheni date , amphetamine , atomoxetine , guanfacine and clonidine seemed significantly more efficacious than placebo .
Methylpheni date and amphetamine seemed more efficacious than atomoxetine and guanfacine .
Methylpheni date and clonidine seemed better accepted than placebo and atomoxetine .
Most of the efficacious pharmacological treatments were associated with harms ( anorexia , weight loss and insomnia ) , but an increased risk of serious adverse events was not observed .
There is lack of evidence for cognitive training , neurofeedback , antidepressants , antipsychotics , dietary therapy , fatty acids , and other complementary and alternative medicine .
Clinical differences may exist between the pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment used for the management of ADHD .
BACKGROUND Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) is one of the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorders in childhood .
A wide variety of treatments have been used for the management of ADHD .
We aim ed to compare the efficacy and safety of pharmacological , psychological and complementary and alternative medicine interventions for the treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents .
Variability in ADHD Care in Community-Based Pediatrics
BACKGROUND : Although many efforts have been made to improve the quality of care delivered to children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) in community-based pediatric setting s , little is known about typical ADHD care in these setting s other than rates garnered through pediatrician self-report . METHODS : Rates of evidence -based ADHD care and sources of variability ( practice -level , pediatrician-level , patient-level ) were determined by chart review s of a r and om sample of 1594 patient charts across 188 pediatricians at 50 different practice s. In addition , the associations of Medicaid-status and practice setting ( ie , urban , suburban , and rural ) with the quality of ADHD care were examined . RESULTS :  Parent- and teacher-rating scales were used during ADHD assessment with approximately half of patients . The use of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria was documented in 70.4 % of patients . The vast majority ( 93.4 % ) of patients with ADHD were receiving medication and only 13.0 % were receiving psychosocial treatment .  Parent- and teacher-ratings were rarely collected to monitor treatment response or side effects . Further , fewer than half ( 47.4 % ) of children prescribed medication had contact with their pediatrician within the first month of prescribing . Most variability in pediatrician-delivered ADHD care was accounted for at the patient level ; however , pediatricians and practice s also accounted for significant variability on specific ADHD care behaviors . CONCLUSIONS : There is great need to improve the quality of ADHD care received by children in community-based pediatric setting s. Improvements will likely require systematic interventions at the practice and policy levels to promote change
At the class level , behavioural therapy ( alone or in combination with stimulants ) , stimulants , and non-stimulant seemed significantly more efficacious than placebo .
Behavioural therapy in combination with stimulants seemed superior to stimulants or non-stimulants .
Stimulants seemed superior to behavioural therapy , cognitive training and non-stimulants .
Behavioural therapy , stimulants and their combination showed the best profile of acceptability .
Stimulants and non-stimulants seemed well tolerated .
Among medications , methylpheni date , amphetamine , atomoxetine , guanfacine and clonidine seemed significantly more efficacious than placebo .
Methylpheni date and amphetamine seemed more efficacious than atomoxetine and guanfacine .
Methylpheni date and clonidine seemed better accepted than placebo and atomoxetine .
Most of the efficacious pharmacological treatments were associated with harms ( anorexia , weight loss and insomnia ) , but an increased risk of serious adverse events was not observed .
There is lack of evidence for cognitive training , neurofeedback , antidepressants , antipsychotics , dietary therapy , fatty acids , and other complementary and alternative medicine .
Clinical differences may exist between the pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment used for the management of ADHD .
BACKGROUND Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) is one of the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorders in childhood .
A wide variety of treatments have been used for the management of ADHD .
We aim ed to compare the efficacy and safety of pharmacological , psychological and complementary and alternative medicine interventions for the treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents .