Citation

Sobanski E, Sabljic D, Alm B, Dittmann RW, Wehmeier PM, Skopp G, Strohbeck-Kühner P. Eur. Psychiatry 2013; 28(6): 379-385.

Affiliation

Central Institute of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, J 5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany. Electronic address: esther.sobanski@zi-mannheim.de.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2012.08.001

PMID

23062837

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate effects of a 12-week treatment with atomoxetine (ATX) on driving performance in real traffic, driving-related neuropsychological performance tests and self-evaluation of driving in adult patients with ADHD compared to an untreated control group with ADHD. METHODS: Parallel group design with an ATX and a waiting list group. At baseline and endpoint patients were evaluated with a standardized on-road driving test (SDBO), a driving-related neuropsychological test battery (Act and React Test System [ART2020]), and subjective measures of driving performance (one-week driving diary, Driver Coping Questionnaire). RESULTS: Forty-three of the 64 included patients completed the study (n=22 ATX, n=21 controls). Mean intervention period was 11.9±3.0 weeks, mean daily ATX dosage was 71.6±14.9mg. At endpoint, 60.1% of patients treated with ATX and 0% of waiting list group had reduced ADHD symptoms by greater or equal to 30%. In SDBO, ATX group reduced driving errors in three of four driving performance categories (attention, P<0.05; risk-related self-control, P<0.005; driver skills, P<0.001), number of driving errors remained stable in control group. At endpoint, 47.6% of control group and 18.2% of ATX group (P<0.05) did not fulfil the driving fitness criteria according to German Guidelines (percentile rank less or equal to 16 in one or more subtests in ART2020). Total number of self-reported critical traffic situations decreased from 12.0 to 6.8 per week in ATX group (P<0.05) and remained stable in controls by 9.3 and 9.9 at baseline and endpoint (ns). Coping strategies with stressful traffic situations did not change within both groups. CONCLUSION: Our study provides first evidence that treatment with ATX improves driving performance in real traffic in adults with ADHD.

Language: en