Software takes aim at reducing pediatric ADHD symptoms

Researchers have developed new software that helps children diagnosed with ADHD minimize symptoms when receiving care at community pediatric practices. Combining medication and care, patients are able to reduce symptoms by 13 points on Vanderbilt parent-rated scale of symptoms.

The new software was developed by researchers led by Jeffery Epstein, PhD, director of the Center for ADHD at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Collecting, scoring and interpreting reports on the patient, the software rates the severity of symptoms and decides if medications are needed. Based on these calculations, the community care provider makes a personalized schedule and receives information about the patient's reaction.

"Our data show the software not only helped improve the quality of medication care received by children treated at community based pediatric practices, but it also improved treatment outcomes for these children," Epstein said. "As a result of the improved quality of ADHD care, children treated by pediatricians using this new technology had significantly less ADHD symptoms than children treated by pediatricians who were not given access to this web-based technology."

A clinical trial was conducted 50 community based pediatric practices on 373 children with ADHD who were prescribed medication (165 were provided the software while 208 were not). Results showed that children without the software experienced a 10.19-point reduction of symptoms, in regards to the Vanderbilt ADHD Parent Rating Scale. Children with both medication and the software averaged a 13.19-point reduction.  

Epstein hopes that the software could be extended to offer behavior treatment to all patients with ADHD and other pediatric mental disorders.