10.19.22
A French maritime pine bark extract called Pycnogenol was associated with a number of behavioral benefits in children with ADHD, according to a study published in the Journal of Functional Foods.
Characterized by developmentally inappropriate levels of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention, ADHD is the most common pediatric neurocognitive behavioral disorder, and 2.4 million children in the U.S. have been diagnosed with it.
In the study, 88 children between the ages of six and 12 were split into three groups, which were administered either a placebo, the prescription drug methylphenidate, or Pycnogenol. Children under 66 pounds took either 20 mg per day of methylphenidate, or 20 mg of Pycnogenol daily, while children over 66 pounds took 30 mg methylphenidate daily or 40 mg of Pycnogenol daily.
During the intervention period, which lasted 10 weeks, teachers and parents filled out questionnaires at baseline, five weeks, and at the end of the study. This included the ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS), which assesses nine inattention and nine hyperactivity/impulsivity items. The criteria also assessed difficulty following instructions, difficulty organizing tasks and activities, fidgeting with hands or feet, squirming in a seat, or interrupting and intruding others.
Results
At 10 weeks, teachers reported that the Pycnogenol group showed:
At 10 weeks, parents reported that the Pycnogenol group showed:
While children who supplemented with the pharmaceutical drug showed the most improvement in ADHD behavior, they experienced adverse side effects at a rate of up to five times greater than those who supplemented with Pycnogenol, according to the authors. Loss of appetite and unwanted weight loss were observed with the pharmaceutical, but not with Pycnogenol.
“In pediatric ADHD and especially in the primary school environment, Pycnogenol was proven to be a good alternative for methylphenidate for those willing to wait a few weeks for effects, a fortiori when considering its almost complete lack of adverse effects as opposed to methylphenidate,” the researchers concluded.
This study adds to previous evidence regarding the potential role of Pycnogenol in managing children’s behavioral symptoms. A study published in 2006, conducted in the Department of Child Psychiatry at the University Hospital in Bratislava, found that Pycnogenol relieved reported symptoms of hyperactivity and improved attention of children with ADHD compared to placebo. Another study published in 2006 found that the ingredient was able to normalize antioxidant status of children with ADHD.
Characterized by developmentally inappropriate levels of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention, ADHD is the most common pediatric neurocognitive behavioral disorder, and 2.4 million children in the U.S. have been diagnosed with it.
In the study, 88 children between the ages of six and 12 were split into three groups, which were administered either a placebo, the prescription drug methylphenidate, or Pycnogenol. Children under 66 pounds took either 20 mg per day of methylphenidate, or 20 mg of Pycnogenol daily, while children over 66 pounds took 30 mg methylphenidate daily or 40 mg of Pycnogenol daily.
During the intervention period, which lasted 10 weeks, teachers and parents filled out questionnaires at baseline, five weeks, and at the end of the study. This included the ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS), which assesses nine inattention and nine hyperactivity/impulsivity items. The criteria also assessed difficulty following instructions, difficulty organizing tasks and activities, fidgeting with hands or feet, squirming in a seat, or interrupting and intruding others.
Results
At 10 weeks, teachers reported that the Pycnogenol group showed:
- A 29% decrease in overall ADHD rating scale (versus 45% decrease in methylphenidate and 5% decrease with placebo);
- 34% decrease in hyperactivity (versus 36% decrease with methylphenidate and 1% increase in placebo);
- 25% decrease in inattention (versus 52% decrease with methylphenidate and 9% decrease with placebo).
At 10 weeks, parents reported that the Pycnogenol group showed:
- 11% decrease in overall ADHD rating scale (versus 28% decrease with methylphenidate and 1% increase with placebo);
- 12% decrease in hyperactivity/impulsivity (versus 28% decrease with methylphenidate and 2% increase with placebo);
- 10% decrease in inattention (versus 29% decrease with methylphenidate and 1% increase with placebo).
While children who supplemented with the pharmaceutical drug showed the most improvement in ADHD behavior, they experienced adverse side effects at a rate of up to five times greater than those who supplemented with Pycnogenol, according to the authors. Loss of appetite and unwanted weight loss were observed with the pharmaceutical, but not with Pycnogenol.
“In pediatric ADHD and especially in the primary school environment, Pycnogenol was proven to be a good alternative for methylphenidate for those willing to wait a few weeks for effects, a fortiori when considering its almost complete lack of adverse effects as opposed to methylphenidate,” the researchers concluded.
This study adds to previous evidence regarding the potential role of Pycnogenol in managing children’s behavioral symptoms. A study published in 2006, conducted in the Department of Child Psychiatry at the University Hospital in Bratislava, found that Pycnogenol relieved reported symptoms of hyperactivity and improved attention of children with ADHD compared to placebo. Another study published in 2006 found that the ingredient was able to normalize antioxidant status of children with ADHD.
