Effect of vitamin D supplementation as adjunctive therapy to methylphenidate on ADHD symptoms: A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial Effect of vitamin D treatment in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder Randomized controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation in children with autism spectrum disorder Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in depression in adults: a systematic review protocol Vitamin-mineral treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults: double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial. Effect of supplementation with long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on behavior and cognition in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a randomized placebo-controlled intervention trial. Why randomized controlled trials of calcium and vitamin D sometimes fail A double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial of omega-3 supplementation in children with moderate ADHD symptoms The influence of short-chain essential fatty acids on children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a double-blind placebo-controlled study. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Correlation of symptoms with vitamin D deficiency and symptom response to cholecalciferol treatment: a randomized controlled trial. Reduced Symptoms of Inattention after Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Boys with and without Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Randomized controlled trials of vitamin D and cancer incidence: A modeling study Vitamin‐mineral treatment improves aggression and emotional regulation in children with ADHD: a fully blinded, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial Effect of n-3 supplementation on hyperactivity, oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators in children with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Omega-3/Omega-6 Fatty Acids for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Double Blind Study on the Need for Vitamin D Supplementation in Prepubertal Children
Objectives : Previous studies have shown that serum levels of vitamin D were lower in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) children compared to healthy controls . The aim of the study was to determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation as adjunctive therapy to methylpheni date on symptoms of children with ADHD . Methods : Sixty-two children aged 5–12 years with a diagnosis of ADHD based on DSM-IV criteria were r and omly assigned into two groups to receive either 2000IU vitamin D or placebo in addition to methylpheni date for 8 weeks . Symptoms severity was assessed by Conner 's Parent Rating Scale-Revised[S ] ( CPRS ) , ADHD rating scale-IV ( ADHD-RS ) , and Weekly Parent Ratings of Evening and Morning Behavior ( WPREMB ) at weeks 0 , 4 , and 8 . Serum levels of 25(OH)D were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks . Anthropometric variables , dietary intake , physical activity , sun exposure , and side effects were assessed . Results : Fifty-four participants completed the trial . After 8 weeks of supplementation , serum levels of 25(OH)D significantly increased in the vitamin D group . ADHD symptoms decreased significantly in both groups ( P < 0.05 ) . Evening symptoms and total score of WPREMB scale were significantly different at weeks 4 and 8 between the two groups ( P = 0.013 , 0.016 , respectively ) , but no differences were found in symptoms by CPRS and ADHD-RS scales . Discussion : Vitamin D supplementation as adjunctive therapy to methylpheni date improved ADHD evening symptoms . Future research is needed to clarify vitamin D effects as monotherapy in ADHD and its mechanism . The trial was registered in www.i rct .ir is ( I RCT 201404222394N10 ) Background In this research the symptom improvement of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) of children was assessed by oral vitamin D administration  in Tabriz , Iran . Methods In this double-blind , r and omized clinical trials , 96 children ( 2–18 years ) were enrolled to placebo and vitamin D groups . Children took vitamin D pearl ( 50,000 IU/week ) or placebo for 6 weeks . Children , who had the change in methylpheni date dosage and received any anticonvulsants and corticosteroids were excluded from the research . ADHD symptoms were diagnosed by Conners parent rating scale ( CPRS ) test at baseline and after intervention . ADHD Conners divided into inattention ( IA ) , hyperactivity/impulsivity ( H/I ) and combination type ( C ) subscales .  Vitamin D serum level was assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks in both groups . Results The differences between CPRS and its subscales were not significant at baseline ( P > 0.05 ) . The Conners IA score was decreased in vitamin D group ( P < 0.05 ; adjusted with age and baseline values ) . ADHD Conners and all subscale scores reduced remarkably after intervention in patients with insufficient level of vitamin D compared to placebo ( P < 0.05 ) . Conclusions Oral vitamin D  improved ADHD symptoms with a particular effect on inattention symptoms . In addition , symptoms related to all subscales were improved remarkably in patients with insufficient level of vitamin D. Vitamin D treatment in children with ADHD could be considered due to the exp and benefit of vitamin D in body BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) is a frequent developmental disorder characterized by pervasive deficits in social interaction , impairment in verbal and nonverbal communication , and stereotyped patterns of interests and activities . It has been previously reported that there is vitamin D deficiency in autistic children ; however , there is a lack of r and omized controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation in ASD children . METHODS This study is a double-blinded , r and omized clinical trial ( RCT ) that was conducted on 109 children with ASD ( 85 boys and 24 girls ; aged 3 - 10 years ) . The aim of this study was to assess the effects of vitamin D supplementation on the core symptoms of autism in children . ASD patients were r and omized to receive vitamin D3 or placebo for 4 months . The serum levels of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol ( 25 (OH)D ) were measured at the beginning and at the end of the study . The autism severity and social maturity of the children were assessed by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale ( CARS ) , Aberrant Behavior Checklist ( ABC ) , Social Responsiveness Scale ( SRS ) , and the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist ( ATEC ) . TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER UMIN-CTR Study Design : trial number : UMIN000020281 . RESULTS Supplementation of vitamin D was well tolerated by the ASD children . The daily doses used in the therapy group was 300 IU vitamin D3/kg/day , not to exceed 5,000 IU/day . The autism symptoms of the children improved significantly , following 4-month vitamin D3 supplementation , but not in the placebo group . This study demonstrates the efficacy and tolerability of high doses of vitamin D3 in children with ASD . CONCLUSIONS This study is the first double-blinded RCT proving the efficacy of vitamin D3 in ASD patients . Depending on the parameters measured in the study , oral vitamin D supplementation may safely improve signs and symptoms of ASD and could be recommended for children with ASD . At this stage , this study is a single RCT with a small number of patients , and a great deal of additional wide-scale studies are needed to critically vali date the efficacy of vitamin D in ASD Background The role of vitamin D in management of depression is unclear . Results from observational and emerging r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) investigating the efficacy of vitamin D in depression lack consistency - with some suggesting a positive association while others show a negative or inconclusive association . Methods / Design The primary aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review of RCTs to assess the effect of oral vitamin D supplementation versus placebo on depression symptoms measured by scales and the proportion of patients with symptomatic improvement according to the authors ’ original definition . Secondary aims include assessing the change in quality of life , adverse events and treatment discontinuation . We will conduct the systematic review and meta- analysis according to the recommendations of the Cochrane H and book for Systematic Review s of Interventions . We will search the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials ( CENTRAL ) , MEDLINE ( 1966 to present ) , EMBASE ( 1980 to present ) , CINAHL ( 1982 to present ) , PsychINFO ( 1967 to present ) and Clinical Trials.gov . Unpublished work will be identified by search ing two major conferences : the International Vitamin Conference , the Anxiety Disorders and Depression Conference , while grey literature will be acquired by contacting authors of included studies . We will use the r and om-effects meta- analysis to synthesize the data by pooling the results of included studies . Discussion The results of this systematic review will be helpful in clarifying the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation and providing evidence to establish guidelines for implementation of vitamin D for depression in general practice and other relevant setting s. Study registration Unique identifier : CRD42013003849 BACKGROUND The role of nutrition in the treatment of  attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD )  is gaining international attention ; however , treatments have generally focused only on diet restriction or supplementing with one nutrient at a time . AIMS To investigate the efficacy and safety of a broad-based micronutrient formula consisting mainly of vitamins and minerals , without omega fatty acids , in the treatment of ADHD in adults . METHOD This double-blind r and omised controlled trial assigned 80 adults with ADHD in a 1:1 ratio to either micronutrients  ( n = 42 ) or  placebo ( n = 38 ) for 8 weeks ( trial registered with the Australian New Zeal and Clinical Trials Registry : ACTRN12609000308291 ) . RESULTS Intent-to-treat analyses showed significant between-group differences favouring active treatment on self- and observer- but not clinician-ADHD rating scales . However , clinicians rated those receiving micronutrients as more improved than those on placebo both globally and on ADHD symptoms . Post hoc analyses showed that for those with moderate/severe depression  at baseline , there was a greater change in mood favouring active treatment over placebo . There were no group differences in adverse events . CONCLUSIONS This study provides preliminary evidence of efficacy for micronutrients in the treatment of  ADHD symptoms in adults , with a reassuring safety profile OBJECTIVE To determine whether supplementation with the long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic ( EPA ) and docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) affects behavioral symptoms and cognitive impairments in children 6 - 12 years of age diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) . STUDY DESIGN The r and omized , double-blind placebo-controlled 16 weeks trial was conducted with 95 children diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM-IV criteria . Behavior was assessed by parents , teachers and investigators using st and ardized rating scales and question naires . Further outcome variables were working memory , speed of information processing and various measures of attention . For a subgroup of 81 participants , erythrocyte membrane fatty acid composition was analyzed before and after the intervention . RESULTS Supplementation with the omega-3 fatty acid mix increased EPA and DHA concentrations in erythrocyte membranes and improved working memory function , but had no effect on other cognitive measures and parent- and teacher-rated behavior in the study population . Improved working memory correlated significantly with increased EPA , DHA and decreased AA ( arachidonic acid ) The importance of nutrients for promotion of health and prevention of disease has long been recognized . Nonetheless , scientists are still trying to delineate the optimal intakes of various nutrients and their potential benefits for different population s. To that end , evidence -based medicine ( EBM ) has been applied to the study of nutrition . EBM methods basically call for the use of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) to establish causal connection between the intervention and any particular endpoint . This paper focuses on problems that arise in the use of RCTS to establish a causal link between nutrients and various clinical endpoints . While many RCTS of calcium and vitamin D have been positive , many others have been null . In this paper , we discuss the reasons why effective nutrient agents may be found to be ineffective in particular studies , giving examples of such null results , and focusing on the nearly universal failure to consider biological criteria in design ing RCTs . Our purpose is ( 1 ) to inform future study design so as to ensure that relevant biological facts are considered and ( 2 ) to aid in the interpretation of the abundant , but often inconsistent literature on this topic Objective Clinical trials and inconclusive meta-analyses have investigated the effects of omega-3 supplements in children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( ADHD ) . We performed a r and omised placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids . Methods Children aged 6–15 years with established diagnosis of ADHD were r and omised 1:1 to receive either supplements containing docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) and eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) or a placebo for 3 months . Psychotropic or omega-3-containing treatments were not authorised during the study . The primary outcome was the change in the Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale version 4 ( ADHD-RS-IV ) . Other outcomes included safety , lexical level ( Alouette test ) , attention ( Test of Attentional Performance for Children — KiTAP ) , anxiety ( 48-item Conners Parent Rating Scale-Revised — CPRS-R ) , and depression ( Children ’s Depression Inventory — CDI ) . Results Between 2009 and 2011 , 162 children were included in five French child psychiatry centres . The mean age was 9.90 ( SD 2.62 ) years and 78.4 % were boys . The inclusion ADHD-RS-IV at was 37.31 ( SD 8.40 ) . The total ADHD-RS-IV score reduction was greater in the placebo group than in the DHA – EPA group : −19 ( −26 , −12 ) % and −9.7 ( −16.6 , −2.9 ) % , respectively , p = 0.039 . The other components of the Conners score had a similar variation but the differences between groups were not significant . Two patients in the DHA – EPA group and none in the placebo group experienced a severe adverse event ( hospitalisation for worsening ADHD symptoms ) . Conclusion This study did not show any beneficial effect of omega-3 supplement in children with mild ADHD symptoms Essential fatty acids ( EFA ) are needed for normal sensory , cognitive , and motor function . The EFA blood profile seems to be different in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) as compared to matched controls . Previous open EFA supplementation trials were successful in demonstrating significant therapeutic effects in this population , whereas most of the r and omized controlled trials failed to show any benefit over placebo . The current r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial tested the influence of short-chain EFA supplementation on ADHD children , using parent and teacher question naires and a computerized continuous performance test . A total of 73 unmedicated children aged 7 - 13 years with a diagnosis of ADHD participated in the study ; 63 children completed the study . The EFA supplement contained 480 mg of linoleic acid and 120 mg of alpha-linolenic acid , and the placebo contained 1000 mg of vitamin C ( daily amounts ) ; both were given for a 7-week supplementation period . Analysis of variance for repeated measures revealed that both treatments ameliorated some of the symptoms , but no significant differences were found between the groups in any of the treatment effects OBJECTIVE To determine whether docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) supplementation for 4 months decreases the symptoms of  attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) .  STUDY DESIGN Sixty-three 6- to-12-year-old children with ADHD , all receiving effective maintenance therapy with stimulant medication , were assigned r and omly , in a double-blind fashion , to receive DHA supplementation ( 345 mg/d ) or placebo for 4 months . Outcome variables included plasma phospholipid fatty acid patterns , scores on laboratory measures of inattention and impulsivity ( Test of Variables of Attention , Children 's Color Trails test ) while not taking stimulant medication , and scores on parental behavioral rating scales ( Child Behavior Checklist , Conners ' Rating Scale ) . Differences between groups after 4 months of DHA supplementation or placebo administration were determined by analysis of variance , controlling for age , baseline value of each outcome variable , ethnicity , and ADHD subtype . RESULTS Plasma phospholipid DHA content of the DHA-supplemented group was 2.6-fold higher at the end of the study than that of the placebo group ( 4.85 + /- 1.35 vs 1.86 + /- 0.87 mol % of total fatty acids ; P < .001 ) . Despite this , there was no statistically significant improvement in any objective or subjective measure of ADHD symptoms . CONCLUSION A 4-month period of DHA supplementation ( 345 mg/d ) does not decrease symptoms of ADHD OBJECTIVE To examine the association of symptoms with vitamin D deficiency and symptom response to cholecalciferol treatment in a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial . METHODS Adult primary care patients in Duluth , Minnesota , were screened for vitamin D deficiency in February 2007 . Participants completed question naires pertaining to a variety of symptoms , vitamin D intake , and selected medical conditions . Patients with mild to moderate vitamin D deficiency ( 25-hydroxyvitamin D [ 25(OH)D ] , 10 - 25 ng/mL ) participated in a r and omized controlled trial ( RCT ) of vitamin D replacement and its effect on symptoms . Participants were r and omly assigned to receive 50 000 units of cholecalciferol ( vitamin D3 ) weekly or placebo for 8 weeks . Patients with severe vitamin D deficiency ( 25[OH]D < 10 ng/mL ) were treated in an unblinded fashion , and symptoms were reevaluated post treatment . RESULTS A total of 610 patients underwent initial screening , and 100 patients with mild to moderate vitamin D deficiency participated in the RCT . Thirty-eight severely deficient patients were treated in an unblinded fashion . On initial screening , 46.2 % of participants were deficient in vitamin D. Self-reported vitamin D supplementation , milk intake , celiac disease , gastric bypass , and chronic pancreatitis were predictive of vitamin D status . Severely deficient participants reported increased musculoskeletal symptoms , depression ( including seasonal ) , and higher ( worse ) scores on a fibromyalgia assessment question naire . In the RCT , the treated group showed significant improvement in fibromyalgia assessment scores ( P = 0.03 ) , whereas the placebo-treated participants did not . Severely deficient patients did not show symptom improvement over the 8-week trial period or when followed up 1 year later . CONCLUSIONS Compared with participants in the placebo group , patients in the treatment group showed mild short-term improvement in the overall fibromyalgia impact score , but did not show significant improvement in most musculoskeletal symptoms or in activities of daily living Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) is one of the most common child psychiatric disorders , and is often treated with stimulant medication . Nonpharmacological treatments include dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids , although their effectiveness remains to be shown conclusively . In this study , we investigated the effects of dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on ADHD symptoms and cognitive control in young boys with and without ADHD . A total of 40 boys with ADHD , aged 8–14 years , and 39 matched , typically developing controls participated in a 16-week double-blind r and omized placebo-controlled trial . Participants consumed 10 g of margarine daily , enriched with either 650 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) each or placebo . Baseline and follow-up assessment s addressed ADHD symptoms , fMRI of cognitive control , urine homovanillic acid , and cheek cell phospholipid sampling . EPA/DHA supplementation improved parent-rated attention in both children with ADHD and typically developing children . Phospholipid DHA level at follow-up was higher for children receiving EPA/DHA supplements than placebo . There was no effect of EPA/DHA supplementation on cognitive control or on fMRI measures of brain activity . This study shows that dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids  reduces symptoms of ADHD , both for individuals with ADHD and typically developing children . This effect does not appear to be mediated by cognitive control systems in the brain , as no effect of supplementation was found here . Nonetheless , this study offers support that omega-3 supplementation may be an effective augmentation for pharmacological treatments of ADHD ( NCT01554462 : The Effects of EPA/DHA Supplementation on Cognitive Control in Children with ADHD ; http:// clinical trials.gov/show/NCT01554462 ) Although geographic ecological studies and observational studies find that ultraviolet B exposure and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [ 25(OH)D ] concentrations are inversely correlated with 15–20 types of cancer , few r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) of vitamin D support those findings . The poor design of some RCTs may account for that lack of support . Most vitamin D RCTs to date have considered the vitamin D dose , rather than initial , final , or changes in , serum 25(OH)D concentrations . Here a model is developed for use in design ing and analyzing vitamin D RCTs with application to cancer incidence . The input variables of the model are  vitamin D dose , baseline and achieved 25(OH)D concentrations , known rates of cancer for the population  , and numbers of participants for the treatment and placebo arms is estimated — vitamin D dosage and numbers of participants are varied to achieve desired hazard ratio significance , using information from two  vitamin D RCTs on cancer incidence conducted in Nebraska with good agreement between the model estimates and reported hazard ratios . Further improvements to the conduct of vitamin D RCTs would be to start the trial with a moderate bolus dose to achieve the desired 25(OH)D concentrations , and bloodspot 25(OH)D assay use in summer and winter annually to monitor seasonal and long-term changes in 25(OH)D concentration and compliance , and to allow dosage adjustment for achievement of desired vitamin D status BACKGROUND Evaluation of broad-spectrum micronutrient ( vitamins and minerals ) treatment for childhood ADHD has been limited to open-label studies that highlight beneficial effects across many aspects of psychological functioning . METHOD This is the first fully blinded r and omized controlled trial of medication-free children ( n = 93 ) with ADHD ( 7 - 12 years ) assigned to either micronutrients ( n = 47 ) or placebo ( n = 46 ) in a 1:1 ratio , for 10 weeks . All children received st and ardized ADHD assessment s. Data were collected from clinicians , parents , participants and teachers across a range of measures assessing ADHD symptoms , general functioning and impairment , mood , aggression and emotional regulation . RESULTS Intent-to-treat analyses showed significant between-group differences favouring micronutrient treatment on the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement ( ES = 0.46 ) , with 47 % of those on micronutrients identified as ' much ' to ' very much ' improved versus 28 % on placebo . No group differences were identified on clinician , parent and teacher ratings of overall ADHD symptoms ( ES ranged 0.03 - 0.17 ) . However , according to clinicians , 32 % of those on micronutrients versus 9 % of those on placebo showed a clinical ly meaningful improvement on inattentive ( OR = 4.9 ; 95 % CI : 1.5 - 16.3 ) , but no group differences on improvement in hyperactive-impulsive symptoms ( OR = 1.0 ; 95 % CI : 0.4 - 2.5 ) . Based on clinician , parent and teacher report , those on micronutrients showed greater improvements in emotional regulation , aggression and general functioning compared to placebo ( ES ranged 0.35 - 0.66 ) . There were two dropouts per group , no group differences in adverse events and no serious adverse events identified . Blinding was successful with guessing no better than chance . CONCLUSIONS Micronutrients  improved overall function , reduced impairment and improved inattention , emotional regulation and aggression , but not hyperactive/impulsive symptoms , in this sample of children with ADHD . Although direct benefit for core ADHD symptoms was modest , with mixed findings across raters , the low rate of adverse effects and the benefits reported across multiple areas of functioning indicate micronutrients may be a favourable option for some children , particularly those with both ADHD and emotional dysregulation . Trial registered with the Australian New Zeal and Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12613000896774 BACKGROUND Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) is associated with difficulties in learning , behaviour and psychosocial adjustment that persist into adulthood . Decreased omega-3 fatty acids and increased inflammation or oxidative stress may contribute to neuro-developmental and psychiatric disorders such as ADHD . The aim of this study was to determine the effect of n-3 supplementation on hyperactivity , oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators in children with ADHD . METHODS In this double blind study , 103 children ( 6 - 12 years ) with ADHD receiving maintenance therapy were assigned r and omly into two groups . The n-3 group received n-3 fatty acids ( 635 mg eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) , 195 mg docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) ) , and the placebo group received olive oil capsules which were visually similar to the n-3 capsules . The duration of supplementation was 8 weeks . Plasma C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) and the activity of glutathione reductase ( GR ) , catalase ( CAT ) and superoxide dismutase ( SOD ) were determined before and after the intervention . Likewise the Conners ' Abbreviated Question naires ( ASQ-P ) was applied . RESULTS After 8-week intervention , a significant reduction was observed in the levels of CRP ( P < 0.05 , 95 % CI = 0.72 - 2.02 ) and IL-6 ( P < 0.001 , 95 % CI = 1.93 - 24.33 ) in the n-3 group . There was also a significant increase in activity of SOD and GR ( P < 0.001 ) . A significant improvement was seen in the ASQ-P scores in the n-3 group ( P < 005 ) . CONCLUSION Eight weeks of EPA and DHA supplementation decreased plasma inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress in the children with ADHD . These results suggest that n-3 fatty acid supplementation may offer a safe and efficacious treatment for children with ADHD Objective : The aim of the study was to assess omega 3/6 fatty acids ( eye q ) in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) . Method : The study included a r and omized , 3-month , omega 3/6 placebo-controlled , one-way crossover trial with 75 children and adolescents ( 8—18 years ) , followed by 3 months with omega 3/6 for all .  Investigator-rated ADHD Rating Scale — IV and Clinical Global Impression ( CGI ) scale were outcome measures . Results : A majority did not respond to omega 3/6 treatment . However , a subgroup of 26 % responded with more than 25 % reduction of ADHD symptoms and a drop of CGI scores to the near-normal range . After 6 months , 47 % of all showed such improvement . Responders tended to have ADHD inattentive subtype and comorbid neurodevelopmental disorders . Conclusion : A subgroup of children and adolescents with ADHD , characterized by inattention and associated neurodevelopmental disorders , treated with omega 3/6 fatty acids for 6 months responded with meaningful reduction of ADHD symptoms . ( J. of Att . Dis . 2009 ; 12(5 ) 394 - 401 ABSTRACT . Fifty‐one healthy prepubertal schoolchildren were followed for 13 months in a double blind study . Twenty‐four of them were supplemented with 400 IU of vitamin D2 5–7 times weekly , while 27 received a placebo . The children were examined in winter both at the beginning and at the end of the study , and in the middle of the study in autumn . Mean 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels in the supplemented group were significantly higher than those in the placebo group both in autumn and in winter , when the study ended . The vitamin D supplementation did not , however , affect other vitamin D metabolites , serum calcium , albumin , inorganic phosphorus , parathyroid hormone concentrations or alkaline phosphatase activity . Moreover , the supplementation caused no alterations in the weight or height gain or bone mineral content of the distal radius of the children , and thus sub clinical rickets could not be shown
Vitamin D supplementation demonstrated a small but statistically significant improvement in ADHD total scores , inattention scores , hyperactivity scores , and behavior scores .
There was no statistically significant improvement in oppositional scores .
Reported adverse events in the vitamin D group were mild and not significantly different from the control group .
Vitamin D supplementation increased serum vitamin D levels and the ratio of patients with sufficient vitamin D levels .
Conclusions : Vitamin D supplementation as adjunctive therapy to methylpheni date appeared to reduce ADHD symptoms without serious adverse events , associated with improved vitamin D status .
Objective : A systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) were conducted to assess the benefits and harms of vitamin D supplementation for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) patients .