Thesis (M.Tech.: Homeopathy)-Dept. of Homeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2007 xxxii, 285 leaves / The epidemic proportion of ADD/ADHD diagnosis is gaining widespread attention from parents, educators, doctors and other health care providers. Parents are seeking alternatives, as they are concerned about the use and side effects of methylphenidate hydrochloride (e.g. Ritalin®, Adaphen®, Concerta®) and other conventional drugs used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD (Badat, 2004 and Picton, 2004). The aim of this research was to document the current practices of registered homoeopathic practitioners, with regard to Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In addition, their perceptions regarding aeitiology, treatment, management and success rate was investigated. This research took the form of a qualitative-quantitative survey (questionnaire) targeting homoeopaths practicing in the Johannesburg Metropolitan Area

The purpose of this study was to explore the nature of the relationship between a continuous performance test (CPT) and teachers' ratings of behavior. Assessment data were archival in nature. One hundred-one children from one rural, middle-class, predominately Caucasian school district in a Midwestern state were selected who had taken the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) and whose teachers had completed the Attention Deficit Disorders Evaluation ScaleSchool Version (ADDES) and the Child Behavior ChecklistTeacher Report Form (TRF). Of this group 46 had been referred for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and/or learning difficulties and 55 had participated in a local norming project for the TOVA.Descriptive statistics were found for CPT variables and teachers' ratings of behavior for all participants, boys and girls separately, and referred and nonreferred separately. The research question was investigated using a matrix of partial correlations controlled for age. TOVA variables included Omissions, Commissions, Response Time, Response Time Variability, Anticipatory Responses, and Multiple Responses. Teacher's rating scale variables included the ADDES Total and subscales Inattention, Impulsive, and Hyperactive as well as the TRF Attention Problems, and Aggressive Behavior.Research provided support that TOVA Omissions and Commissions are valid indicators of ADHD as measured by teachers' ratings of behavior. Response Time Variability and Multiple Responses may be valid indicators of generalized behavior dysfunction as measured by teachers' ratings of behavior. Anticipatory Responses and Response Time may aid in distinguishing ADHD with and without hyperactivity but further research is recommended. / Department of Educational Psychology

This thesis presents two manuscripts on motor control in ADHD. The first is a literature review that identifies fine motor control and postural stability as areas of robust abnormality in ADHD. Further, the review suggests that motor performance in adolescence has been understudied, and reveals a paucity of data on sex differences. The second study is an empirical assessment of postural control and fine motor skills in an adolescent ADHD sample, which investigated potential sex differences. This latter study revealed that males with ADHD were especially impaired on fine motor tasks, whereas females with the disorder were particularly impaired on tasks of postural stability. Deficits were most prominent under conditions where visual information was removed, across genders. It is unclear whether motor performance deficits are central features of ADHD or instead artifacts of overlap with Developmental Coordination Disorder and other psychiatric comorbidities.

This thesis presents two manuscripts on motor control in ADHD. The first is a literature review that identifies fine motor control and postural stability as areas of robust abnormality in ADHD. Further, the review suggests that motor performance in adolescence has been understudied, and reveals a paucity of data on sex differences. The second study is an empirical assessment of postural control and fine motor skills in an adolescent ADHD sample, which investigated potential sex differences. This latter study revealed that males with ADHD were especially impaired on fine motor tasks, whereas females with the disorder were particularly impaired on tasks of postural stability. Deficits were most prominent under conditions where visual information was removed, across genders. It is unclear whether motor performance deficits are central features of ADHD or instead artifacts of overlap with Developmental Coordination Disorder and other psychiatric comorbidities.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Toronto, 2004. / Adviser: Joanne Rovet.

Thesis (doctoral)--Göteborg universitet, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Au.D.)--James Madison University, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Au.D.)--James Madison University, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

O transtorno do déficit de atenção e hiperatividade (TDAH) é um transtorno do neurodesenvolvimento e sua prevalência na vida adulta é em torno de 2,5%. O tratamento farmacológico, apesar de efetivo, possui importantes limitações, justificando a busca por outras estratégias terapêuticas. A estimulação elétrica transcraniana (EETC) é uma técnica não invasiva de neuroestimulação que tem apresentado resultados promissores em melhorar o desempenho cognitivo em vários distúrbios neuropsiquiátricos, no entanto, poucos estudos avaliaram a sua eficácia e tolerabilidade no TDAH. Foi realizado um ensaio clínico randomizado, duplo-cego e controlado, com estimulação falsa para avaliar a eficácia da EETC nos sintomas de TDAH. Dezessete adultos com TDAH foram randomizados em dois grupos, nove receberam EETC verdadeira e oito, falsa. No grupo da EETC verdadeira foi aplicada estimulação com intensidade de corrente de 2 mA, durante 20 minutos, em cinco dias consecutivos. O ânodo foi posicionado sobre o córtex pré-frontal dorsolateral (CPFDL) direito e o cátodo sobre o CPFDL esquerdo. O grupo controle recebeu estimulação falsa durante o mesmo período. Os sintomas do TDAH foram mensurados por meio da escala Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) e a incapacidade com a escala Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS). As duas escalas foram aplicadas nos seguintes momentos: antes de iniciar (t0) as estimulações, ao final do protocolo (t1) e uma (t2), duas (t3) e quatro semanas (t4) após a intervenção. Observamos redução, estatisticamente significativa, na pontuação das escalas ASRS desatenção (p = 0,02) e SDS (p = 0,04) entre t0 e t1 após a intervenção em comparação ao grupo controle. Na ASRS total também observamos essa tendência, mas não se mostrou estatisticamente significativa (p = 0,07). Ampliando a análise dos dados observamos interação positiva entre tempo e tratamento na pontuação da ASRS total (p = 0,003), ASRS desatenção (p = 0,0001) e SDS (p = 0,001). Os dados deste estudo apontam que a EETC é eficaz para melhorar a atenção em adultos com TDAH. Contudo, mais pesquisas são necessárias para avaliar a eficácia clínica da ETCC nessa população. / Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with 2,5% prevalence in adulthood. Pharmacological treatment, although effective, has important limitations, justifying the search for other therapeutic strategies. Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neurostimulation technique which has show promising results to improve cognitive performance in several neuropsychiatric disorders, nonetheless few studies have evaluated their efficacy and tolerability in ADHD. A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial was conducted to examine the efficacy of tDCS on ADHD symptoms. in adults with ADHD. Seventeen adults with ADHD were randomized into two groups, nine received active EETC eight, false. In the active group was applied EETC with 2mA current intensity, for 20 minutes, in five consecutive days. Anode was positioned on the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and cathode over the left DLPFC. Control group received false stimulation during the same period. ADHD symptoms were measured using the scale Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) and the disability with Sheehan Disability Scale Scale (SDS). Both scales were applied at the following times: before starting the stimulation, the end of the protocol, and one, two and four weeks after the intervention. Subjects in the active group achieved significant reduction in ASRS inattention (p = 0,02) and SDS (p = 0,04) scores after intervention compared to control group. At ASRS total score was also observed this trend, without statistical significance (p = 0.07). Extending data analysis shows there are positive interaction between time and treatment on ASRS total score (p = 0,003), ASRS inattention (p = 0,0001) and SDS (p = 0,001). These data indicate that tDCS is effective to improving attention in adults with ADHD. However, further research is needed to assess the clinical efficacy of tDCS in this population.