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Clinically Significant Symptom Reduction in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Treated with Micronutrients: An Open-Label Reversal Design Study
In this open-label, on-off-on-off (reversal design) study by Gordon et al. (2015), the authors evaluated the impact and safety of broad spectrum micronutrient supplementation (consisting of 36 vitamins and minerals) in the treatment of 14 children (between 8 to 12 years of age) suffering from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for at least six months. The participants underwent initial testing (inclusive of hematology and biochemistry screening) and received a daily dose of micronutrient supplement (increased up to 15 capsules/day) for two 8-week treatment periods with a 4-week abstinence period between each. The participants were assessed using the Conners’ Parent Rating Scale, the Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI), and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire – Parent version (SDQ), and had their mood and global functioning evaluated. The results revealed a substantial decrease in ADHD symptoms and an enhancement of mood and global functioning during treatment periods, with 71% of participants reporting a minimum of 30% reduction in ADHD symptoms, and 79% reporting their functional condition as “much improved” or “very much improved” on clinician-rated CGI after the second treatment period. During the abstinence periods, however, ADHD symptoms substantially worsened, and so did mood and global functioning. Analysis of SDQ results demonstrated additional improvements in emotions, conduct and prosocial behavior. The authors conclude that their study showcases the clinical potential, safety and utility of a broad-spectrum micronutrient intervention for treating childhood ADHD, and that further clinical studies, especially double-blind placebo-controlled studies, are necessary to consolidate the evidence. [NPID: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, drug therapy, children, micronutrients, vitamins, minerals]
Year: 2015
