Parent and teacher ratings of attention during a year-long methylphenidate trial in children treated for cancer

Abstract

ObjectiveLongitudinally examine attention performance in childhood cancer survivors prescribed methylphenidate (MPH) to ameliorate cognitive late effects, comparing measures for inter-rater and inter-method discrepancies. MethodsSurvivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n=33) or brain tumor (n=35), mean age 11.11±0.37 years, completed a 12-month, open-label trial of MPH. Conners' Parent and Teacher Rating Scales were completed at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The Conners' Continuous Performance Test (CPT) was completed at baseline and 12 months.ResultsImproved attention was reported after 1 month of MPH (p