Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children: Comparative Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Methylphenidate
Abstract
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is frequently used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) in children in China. However, until now there has been no strong evidence to prove that TCM has better efficacy than western medicine. In this systematic study of 34 studies published in the Chinese literature, the effectiveness of TCM in treating ADHD in children was examined and compared with methylphenidate (MPH), which is widely used to treat ADHD. It was found that TCM may have equal or better effectiveness than MPH. However, the lack of high-quality clinical trials to support this conclusion means that it is not currently possible to recommend any particular kind of TCM preparation for treating ADHD in children.
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Traditional Chinese medicines were found to compare favorably with methylphenidate in a small study.
“In a small study, traditional Chinese medicines were found to compare favorably with methylphenidate [105].”
From Advances in understanding and treating ADHD (2011) · cites this paper as [105]
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Advances in understanding and treating ADHD
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- Authors
- Lan, Y., Zhang, L.-L., & Luo, R.
- Affiliations
- Sichuan University (CN)
- ORCID
- Zhang, L-L
- Venue
- Journal of International Medical Research
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2009-05
- Volume
- 37
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 939-948
- ISSN
- 0300-0605 (ISSN-L)
- 1473-2300
- OpenAlex
- W2125374021
- Cited by
- 19
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.24
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of International Medical Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Traditional Chinese Medicine Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Medical Research and Treatments
- Keywords
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, children, traditional Chinese medicine, methylphenidate, treatment efficacy, herbal medicine
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Central Nervous System Stimulants, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Child, Humans, Medicine, Chinese Traditional, Methylphenidate, Time Factors, Treatment Outcome, Publication Bias
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