ADHD in Children
Visual Abstract
Relative benefits of stimulant therapy with OROS methylphenidate versus mixed amphetamine salts extended release in improving the driving performance of adolescent drivers with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Ritalin vs. Adderall: Driving Performance
Daniel J Cox, R Lawrence Merkel, Melissa Moore, Frances Thorndike, Carrie Muller, Boris Kovatchev
Summarized by:
April 23, 2023
study source
Pediatrics
Sept 2006
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What they studied
Researchers tested stimulant medications on young drivers with ADHD to see whether different medications could improve driving performance, something that those with ADHD can struggle with.
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What they found
Methylphenidate, or Ritalin, significantly improved driving performance and safety in the test. Adderall did not demonstrate improvements.
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What this means
This study provides further evidence that properly treating ADHD can improve and potentially save lives.
Relative Benefits of Stimulant Therapy With OROS Methylphenidate Versus Mixed Amphetamine Salts Extended Release in Improving the Driving Performance of Adolescent Drivers With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Objective
Car accidents are the leading cause of death in teenagers. Previous studies have established that teenagers with ADHD are at a much higher risk of car accidents than other teenagers. There is some evidence that stimulant medication for ADHD can reduce the risk of car accidents in teenagers with ADHD.
This study wanted to examine how well stimulants improved driving performance and whether some stimulants worked better than others.
Study Quote
Automobile accidents are the leading cause of death among adolescents, and collisions are 2 to 4 times more likely to occur among adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Studies have demonstrated that stimulants improve driving performance. This study compared 2 long-a...
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Methods
To study this, researchers provided participants with the generic forms of either Ritalin or Adderall. They used the long-acting version of both medications and tested the participants driving performance on a driving simulator at night. The participants and researchers both rated the driving quality.
Study Quote
Adolescent drivers with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder were compared on a driving simulator after taking 72 mg of OROS methylphenidate, 30 mg of mixed amphetamine salts extended release, or placebo in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study design. Durin...
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Results
Researchers found that the participants got worse at driving during the evening.
Interestingly, by 11 PM, clear differences were showing between the treatment groups. Overall, participants given Adderall did not show much difference from those in the control group.
However, participants that were given Ritalin were significantly less impaired.
Methylphenidate (Ritalin) led to significantly better driving performance than the placebo control
The improvements in driving performance were driven by fewer stop signviolations, fewer episodes of speeding, and fewer incidents of accidentally leaving the road.
These differences were also reflected in the participants' self-assessments. Those who were on Ritalin thought they performed better on tests, which they did.
Participants felt that they drove better when taking methylphenidate (Ritalin).
These results were consistent for men and women. They were also similar between different subtypes of ADHD.
Study Quote
The study included 35 adolescent drivers with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (19 boys/16 girls). The mean age was 17.8 years. The overall Impaired Driving Score demonstrated that OROS methylphenidate led to better driving performance compared with placebo and mixed amphetamine ...
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Conclusions
This study provides further evidence that medication can improve driving performance for those with ADHD. Methylphenidate or Ritalin works particularly well for this.
If you suspect that you or a loved one has ADHD, this is one more great reason to get evaluated and treated if needed. ADHD is treatable, and many of the negative consequences can be prevented.
Study Quote
This study validates the use of stimulants to improve driving performance in adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In the study, OROS methylphenidate promoted significantly improved driving performance compared with placebo and mixed amphetamine salts extended relea...
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