Omega 3 Found to Improve Behavior in Children with ADHD

Supplements of the fatty acids omega 3 and 6 can help children and adolescents who have a specific kind of have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Moreover, these findings indicate that a customized cognitive training program can improve problem behavior in children with ADHD.

Statistics show that 3%–6% of all school age children are estimated to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which entails a difficulty controlling impulses and sitting still, temper, waiting, or being attentive for more than short periods at a time. There are various kinds of ADHD where disturbances in hyperactivity, attention, and impulsivity have varying degrees of prominence. ADHD is regularly treated with stimulant medications, which are effective for most, but do not work for everyone.

In this study, 75 children and adolescents with ADHD were given either the fatty acids omega 3 and 6 or a placebo over three months, and then they were all given omega 3/6 over three months. The study was conducted double-blind, which means that neither the researchers nor the participants were allowed to know whether they received the active capsules until afterwards.

“For the group as a whole, we did not see any major improvement, but in 35% of the children and adolescents who have the inattentive subtype of ADHD called ADD, the symptoms improved so much that we can talk about a clinically relevant improvement,” said Mats Johnson, doctoral student from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg (Sweden), The findings of the study were part of Mr. Johnson’s dissertation.

The levels of omega 3 and omega 6 were also measured in blood samples, where those who had a clear improvement of their symptoms also showed a better balance between the blood levels of these two fatty acids. The dissertation also indicated that a cognitive training technique called collaborative problem solving (CPS) can be a good option or complement in the treatment of ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).

With this approach, the children and the family receives help in training cognitive ability and solving problematic situations. The study included 17 children, whose families received up to ten weeks of CPS sessions. The families were then asked how much the behavioral problems improved directly after the treatment as well as six months afterwards. “Our study of CPS as a treatment for ADHD and ODD is the first in Sweden. All families in our study completed the treatment, and half of them experienced a large or very large improvement of the behavioral problems,” said Mr. Johnson.

The patient group that still had severe ADHD symptoms when the CPS treatment was finished was given the chance to supplement treatment with stimulants medication. In a follow-up six months later, 81% of all of the participating families experienced a large or very large improvement.

According to Mr. Johnson, this indicates that CPS can improve problem-creating behavior in children ADHD and ODD, and that children with severe ADHD symptoms can be improved using a combination of CPS and ADHD medication.

Related Links:
Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg