Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Eligibility criteria were not stated. The review included mostly double-blind trials of a crossover design, a few parallel-group double-blind trials, an open study with no control group and a retrospective chart review. The study duration ranged from 5 to 18 weeks.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies of stimulants were eligible for inclusion. The stimulants used in the included studies were methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, mixed amphetamine salts and pemoline. The mean daily dose varied between studies. The controlled trials included in the review were placebo-controlled, except for one in which methylphenidate was compared with lithium.
Participants included in the review
Studies in adults with ADHD were eligible for inclusion. The diagnosis criteria used in most of the included studies was the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV checklist 4th edition (DSM-IV) and/or DSM-III-R (3rd edition revised).
Outcomes assessed in the review
Eligibility criteria were not stated. The primary response criteria reported in the included studies were Clinical Global Impression Scale 1 or 2 (or equivalent), 30% reduction in ADHD Rating Scale, DSM-IV ADHD and clinical impression.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The author did not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many reviewers performed the selection.