OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of once-daily dosing of
modafinil, a stimulant that has a long duration of action, on clinical
features of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
METHOD: An open-label design was used to compare the Conners Parent and
Teacher Rating Scale-Revised (L) (CPRS, CTRS), the ADHD Rating Scale-IV, and
the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA), without and with medication, in
children with ADHD. Eleven children with ADHD, ranging in age from 5 to 15
years, took modafinil for an average of 4.6 weeks.
RESULTS: Average TOVA ADHD scores
improved by 2.43 SD (p = .0009). CTRS and CPRS ADHD index T scores improved by
an average of 14.1 (p = .0009) and 17.7 points (p = .001), respectively. The
mean ADHD Rating Scale-IV scores improved from the 88th percentile to the 75th
percentile (p = .047). One subject withdrew from the study because of an
adverse event that was resolved completely with medication withdrawal. Other
side effects were mild and responded to dose adjustment. No subjects required
more than one dose per day.
CONCLUSIONS: Modafinil may
be a useful once-daily treatment for children with ADHD. Further study using a
double-blind, placebo-controlled design is needed.