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Long-term efficacy of methylphenidate in enhancing attention regulation, social skills, and academic abilities of childhood cancer survivors.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Conklin, HM; Reddick, WE; Ashford, J; Ogg, S; Howard, SC; Morris, EB; Brown, R; Bonner, M; Christensen, R; Wu, S; Xiong, X; Khan, RB
Published in: J Clin Oncol
October 10, 2010

PURPOSE: Methylphenidate (MPH) ameliorates attention problems experienced by some cancer survivors in the short term, but its long-term efficacy is unproven. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study investigates the long-term effectiveness of maintenance doses of MPH in survivors of childhood brain tumors (n = 35) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 33) participating in a 12-month MPH trial. Measures of attention (Conners' Continuous Performance Test [CPT], Conners' Rating Scales [CRS]), academic abilities (Wechsler Individual Achievement Test [WIAT]), social skills (Social Skills Rating System [SSRS]), and behavioral problems (Child Behavior Checklist [CBCL]) were administered at premedication baseline and at the end of the MPH trial while on medication. A cancer control group composed of patients who were not administered MPH (brain tumor = 31 and acute lymphoblastic leukemia = 23) was assessed on the same measures 12 [corrected] months apart. RESULTS: For the MPH group, repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant improvement in performance on a measure of sustained attention (CPT indices, P < .05); parent, teacher, and self-report ratings of attention (CRS indices, P < .05), and parent ratings of social skills or behavioral problems (SSRS and CBCL indices; P < .05). In contrast, the cancer control group only showed improvement on parent ratings of attention (Conners' Parent Rating Scale indices; P < .05) and social skills (SSRS and CBCL indices; P < .05). There was no significant improvement on the academic measure (WIAT) in either group. CONCLUSION: Attention and behavioral benefits of MPH for childhood cancer survivors are maintained across settings over the course of a year. Although academic gains were not identified, MPH may offer benefits in academic areas not assessed.

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Published In

J Clin Oncol

DOI

EISSN

1527-7755

Publication Date

October 10, 2010

Volume

28

Issue

29

Start / End Page

4465 / 4472

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Treatment Outcome
  • Time Factors
  • Survivors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Social Behavior
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma
  • Oncology & Carcinogenesis
  • Neoplasms
  • Methylphenidate
  • Male
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
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Conklin, H. M., Reddick, W. E., Ashford, J., Ogg, S., Howard, S. C., Morris, E. B., … Khan, R. B. (2010). Long-term efficacy of methylphenidate in enhancing attention regulation, social skills, and academic abilities of childhood cancer survivors. J Clin Oncol, 28(29), 4465–4472. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2010.28.4026
Conklin, Heather M., Wilburn E. Reddick, Jason Ashford, Susan Ogg, Scott C. Howard, E Brannon Morris, Ronald Brown, et al. “Long-term efficacy of methylphenidate in enhancing attention regulation, social skills, and academic abilities of childhood cancer survivors.J Clin Oncol 28, no. 29 (October 10, 2010): 4465–72. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2010.28.4026.
Conklin HM, Reddick WE, Ashford J, Ogg S, Howard SC, Morris EB, et al. Long-term efficacy of methylphenidate in enhancing attention regulation, social skills, and academic abilities of childhood cancer survivors. J Clin Oncol. 2010 Oct 10;28(29):4465–72.
Conklin, Heather M., et al. “Long-term efficacy of methylphenidate in enhancing attention regulation, social skills, and academic abilities of childhood cancer survivors.J Clin Oncol, vol. 28, no. 29, Oct. 2010, pp. 4465–72. Pubmed, doi:10.1200/JCO.2010.28.4026.
Conklin HM, Reddick WE, Ashford J, Ogg S, Howard SC, Morris EB, Brown R, Bonner M, Christensen R, Wu S, Xiong X, Khan RB. Long-term efficacy of methylphenidate in enhancing attention regulation, social skills, and academic abilities of childhood cancer survivors. J Clin Oncol. 2010 Oct 10;28(29):4465–4472.

Published In

J Clin Oncol

DOI

EISSN

1527-7755

Publication Date

October 10, 2010

Volume

28

Issue

29

Start / End Page

4465 / 4472

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Treatment Outcome
  • Time Factors
  • Survivors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Social Behavior
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma
  • Oncology & Carcinogenesis
  • Neoplasms
  • Methylphenidate
  • Male