Active clinical trials for "Problem Behavior"

Severe mood dysregulation (SMD) is a very common syndrome in children. Its symptoms include very severe irritability, including persistent anger and frequent outbursts, as well as distractibility, hyperactivity, and other symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Many children with SMD receive the diagnosis of bipolar disorder (BD) in the community, although they do not have clear manic episodes (with symptoms such as extreme happiness and decreased need for sleep). Because SMD has not been studied in depth, we do not know which medications are most helpful to those with SMD. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of the stimulant medication methylphenidate (MPH, more commonly known as Ritalin ) when combined (or not combined) with the antidepressant citalopram (Celexa ) in treating symptoms of SMD in children and adolescents. This study will provide information about how to treat SMD in youth. This study will include approximately 80 patients between 7 and 17 years of age with SMD. The patient s symptoms must have started before age 12. The study will consist of four phases carried out over 4 to 5 months. During Phase 1, the patient will undergo blood and urine tests, and will gradually taper off his or her medication. The duration of this phase depends on the patient s medication before starting the study. In Phase 2, the patient remains off all medication for 1 week. In Phase 3, the patient will be treated with MPH for 2 weeks, and then will be randomly assigned to receive either MPH plus citalopram or MPH plus a placebo for a further 8 weeks. In Phase 4, the researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of the medications taken, and begin an open treatment phase using medications that they deem appropriate for that patient (this may include MPH with citalopram and/or other medication combinations). Most patients will be admitted to the Pediatric Behavioral Health Unit at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center during the medication withdrawal part of the study (Phases 1 and 2). From Phase 3 on, a patient may participate as an inpatient, outpatient, or in day treatment, depending on what is in his or her best interests. ...

To investigate and compare the efficacy, safety and tolerability of ziprasidone versus placebo in the treatment of conduct disorder (CD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and disruptive behavior disorder not otherwise specified (DBD-NOS) of older children and adolescents in an outpatient setting. Conduct and other behavior disorders are some of the most common forms of psychopathology in children and adolescents. The main characteristic of these disorders is a repetitive and persistent pattern of antisocial, aggressive or defiant behavior that involves major violations of age-appropriate expectations or norms. According to the guidelines of the German Society for Child & Adolescent Psychiatry & Psychotherapy (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und -psychotherapie DGKJPP), the European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (ESCAP), and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) currently no standard pharmacotherapy is established and recommended for children and adolescents. However Risperidone has been shown to be effective in the treatment of patients with disruptive behavior disorders and below average IQ.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of risperidone (an antipsychotic medication) versus placebo in the treatment of behavioral disturbances associated with dementia.

The purpose of the study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of an oral solution of risperidone (an antipsychotic medication) versus placebo in the treatment of conduct disorder in children with mild, moderate, or borderline mental retardation.

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a parent training program in improving parenting skills and reducing behavioral symptoms in young children who are at risk for developing childhood behavior disorders.

This research aims to identify efficacious strategies for treating tobacco dependence among adolescent smokers with co-occurring psychiatric disorders. Adolescent smoking remains a significant public health issue with 23% of high school students reporting smoking a cigarette in the past month1. Smoking rates are two to four times higher among adolescents with psychiatric disorders such as attention deficit disorders, conduct disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, and alcohol and illicit drug dependencies2-4. Empirical investigations of adolescent tobacco treatment interventions number less than 50 with many of the studies criticized for methodological problems (i.e., follow up < 6 months, poor retention, lack of control or comparison groups)2,5, 6. There have been no unequivocal successes; however, promising interventions include stage-based, cognitive behavioral (CBT), and multicomponent treatments2, 7. Additionally, the nicotine patch is well tolerated and safe among adolescents8 and rarely abused9. Less than a third of adolescent tobacco users report intention to quit in the near future2, 10, 11; thus, it seems critical that cessation interventions for this complex group be designed to assist smokers at all stages of readiness through the quitting process. A stepped care approach has the potential of matching more intensive services to those ready for and in need of greater treatment. Interventions delivered in health care settings have the appeal of broad reach. The primary specific aims of this research are to evaluate, in a randomized clinical trial (N=160), the efficacy of a stepped care intervention for treating smoking among adolescents recruited from outpatient psychiatry settings. To our knowledge, this would be the first study to examine outpatient psychiatry settings for treating tobacco dependence in adolescents. The stepped care intervention combines expert-system contacts, individual CBT sessions, and 12-weeks of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).

The purpose of the Strongest Families (formerly Family Help Program)is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Strongest Families distance intervention compared to usual or standard care that is typically provided to children with mild to moderate Disruptive Behaviour symptomology. This is a single-centre trial based at the IWK Health Centre. The primary outcome is change in diagnosis.

The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the tolerability and effectiveness of atomoxetine in the treatment of attention problems, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in children with ASD, and secondarily, to evaluate the possible response to atomoxetine on the core symptoms of ASD

A cluster randomized controlled pre-post effectiveness trial of behavioral preschool teacher training (BPTT) delivered in a practitioner assisted group format for children with externalizing behavior problems. Preschools were randomized to either intervention in 25 preschools or as 22 waiting list control preschools, where teachers in preschool classes with the target child or children were program receivers. Participants were 100 target children 3-5 years old together with 72 enrolled preschool teachers and 83 parents as informants of behavioral outcomes after a five months period of implementation (at six months). The intervention was part of the Swedish evidence-based parent and teacher training programs (Comet) for children and youth with elevated externalizing behavior, and here an adapted version was tried in preschool for the first time. Also investigated was eventual generalized effects to the children's homes and improved social competence as an intermediate mechanism for reduced problem behavior. Effects of implementation fidelity in addition to social acceptability and relevance, such as reliable change, was investigated as well.

The aim of this feasibility study is to determine whether a nutritional intervention in children and their parents can improve their sleep quality and behavior. The study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel trial of omega-3 supplementation to children and their mothers.