Levels of Proneness to Boredom in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder on and off Methylphenidate Treatment

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) severity and propensity for boredom in children with ADHD, both on and off methylphenidate (MPH). Methods: A group of children and adolescents with ADHD (n = 30), aged 7-18 years, were assessed using the Parent-Reported-ADHD Rating Scale-5 (PR-ADHD-RS-5) and Short Boredom Proneness Scale (SBPS), at baseline, after 3 months of MPH treatment, and again after 3 weeks of MPH treatment discontinuation. Results: Significant correlation was found at baseline between PR-ADHD-RS-5 and SBPS scores [n = 30, r = 0.40 (95% confidence interval {CI} = 0.048-0.67), p = 0.027]. Both ADHD and boredom levels decreased significantly after 3 months of MPH treatment. Significant correlation was found between the reductions in PR-ADHD-RS-5 and SBPS scores at this time [n = 30, r = 0.39 (95% CI = 0.035-0.66), p = 0.045]. MPH discontinuation for 3 weeks resulted in mild but statistically significant increases in ADHD and SBPS levels. No significant correlation was detected between the changes in PR-ADHD-RS-5 and SBPS scores after 3 weeks of MPH discontinuation. Conclusions: Three months of MPH treatment resulted in parallel improvement in ADHD severity and in the level of proneness to boredom (PtB), whereas discontinuation of MPH administration is associated with increases in the two parameters, causing them to approach pretreatment levels. Clinicians and parents should be aware of the possibility of increased PtB in children with ADHD who discontinue MPH treatment. Structured daily activity and continuation of MPH treatment may preserve the beneficial effects of MPH on academic and leisure activities and may prevent aggravation of subjective boredom sensations that could lead to risky sensation-seeking behaviors and overuse of electronic devices.