The Effects of Caffeine on Hyperactive Children

The effects of a two-week regimen of caffeine on the behavior of hyperactive children were investigated. The double-blind study involved a crossover design and required each subject to be on caffeine and placebo for a period of two weeks. During this time, psychological, physiological, and behavioral observations were made. Caffeine did not significantly improve reaction times and psychological test scores. However, impulsivity and general behavior as measured by parent and teacher rating scales showed some significant improvements due to caffeine.