Objectively measured hyperactivity--II. Caffeine and amphetamine effects.

Errors of commission and omission, chair movements, and reaction times were assessed in fifteen previously diagnosed hyperactive children on a Continuous Performance Test after four drug regimens: amphetamine at doses of 1.6 and 5.0 mg twice a day, as well as 300 mg caffeine administered alone and with 1.6 mg amphetamine twice a day, produced significant reductions in errors of commission and increased reaction times in those children scoring 24 or more on the Conner's Abbreviated Parent Questionnaire. In addition, subjective symptoms on this questionnaire were significantly reduced by all drug treatments. The high (600 mg) daily dose of caffeine was observed to significantly control hyperactive symptoms, however, it also produced a number of side effects as well.