Effects of Ritalin on Postural Stability of Hyper Active Children

Effects of Methylphenidate on Postural Stability of Children Suffer From Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Under Single and Dual Task Conditions.

Experimental design overview The proposed project is a prospective experimental study design. Children (age <15) suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that their Parents willing to participate in the study will be tested with well-established measuring techniques of Balance control before and 1 hour after taking of Methylphenidate (Ritalin) in the movement and Rehabilitation Laboratory at BGU. An automated algorithm will be used to extract standardized stabilogram-diffusion parameters from each of the COP data sets collected during quiet standing. These parameters include diffusion coefficients, critical displacement, critical time and scaling exponents for both lateral and anterior-posterior sway directions (Collins & De Luca, 1993). For each of the conditions (before and 1 hour after the use of Ritalin) in three task conditions single task; dual task (concentrating and identifying specific music); and just Listening to a relaxing music. Participants will be required to stand on the platform 10 times for 30 s. For each trial, they will be instructed to sway as little as possible.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 6-12 years old
• Diagnosed as ADHD childrens by a neurologist
• Taking methylphenidate (Ritalin)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children who suffer from CP, or other neurological disease
• Children who suffer from psychiatric state
• Children who suffer from orthopedic condition (1/2 a year after a fracture in the lower limb)