The Effectiveness of Pharmacotherapy on Executive Functions and Externalizing Behavior Problems in Children with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder: A Follow-up Study

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic neuro-psychological disorder characterized by a consistent pattern of attention deficit, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. This condition significantly impairs the executive functions of individuals affected by it and serves as a contributing factor to their behavioral difficulties. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Pharmacotherapy on executive functions and externalizing behavior problems in children with ADHD: A follow-up study.

The present study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest structure, incorporating a control group. The statistical population included all male children with ADHD who were attending exceptional schools of Rasht city in the second semester of the academic year 2020-2021. The research sample consisted of 24 children from the specified community, who were selected using a convenience sampling technique and randomly assigned to two groups (12 in the pharmacotherapy group and 12 in the control group). These children were then randomly divided into two groups, with 12 participants in the pharmacotherapy group and 12 participants in the control group. The data collection instruments utilized in this study consisted of the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) developed by Gioia et al. (2000) and the Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach's, 2001). The data were subjected to analysis of covariance and dependent t-test using SPSS22.

The findings of the study indicate that the implementation of pharmacological interventions had a significant positive impact on enhancing overall executive functions, as well as reducing externalizing behavior issues and their associated components in children diagnosed with ADHD (p<0.001). Furthermore, the findings of the study indicate that there was no statistically significant disparity between the mean scores of the experimental group in the post-test and follow-up phases, specifically in relation to general executive functions, externalizing behavior problems, and their respective components. This suggests that the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy remained consistent over a period of 2 months (p>0.05).

Pharmacotherapy with effect on brain structures such as right inferior frontal cortex and insula as well as dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmitters leading to the strengthening of self-regulation skills, improves brain functio. Finally, it will improve executive functions and reduce Internalizing Behavior Problems in children with ADHD.