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    J Atten Disord. 2009 Mar;12(5):402-9. Epub 2008 Aug 25.

    Children with attention deficits concentrate better after walk in the park.

    Taylor AF, Kuo FE.

    Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA. afabrtay@illinois.edu

    OBJECTIVE: In the general population, attention is reliably enhanced after exposure to certain physical environments, particularly natural environments. This study examined the impacts of environments on attention in children with ADHD. METHOD: In this within subjects design, each participant experienced each of three treatments (environments) in single blind controlled trials. Seventeen children 7 to 12 years old professionally diagnosed with ADHD experienced each of three environments-a city park and two other well-kept urban settings-via individually guided 20-minute walks. Environments were experienced 1 week apart, with randomized assignment to treatment order. After each walk, concentration was measured using Digit Span Backwards. RESULTS: Children with ADHD concentrated better after the walk in the park than after the downtown walk (p = .0229) or the neighborhood walk (p = .0072). Effect sizes were substantial (Cohen's d =.52 and .77, respectively) and comparable to those reported for recent formulations of methylphenidate. CONCLUSION: Twenty minutes in a park setting was sufficient to elevate attention performance relative to the same amount of time in other settings. These findings indicate that environments can enhance attention not only in the general population but also in ADHD populations. "Doses of nature" might serve as a safe, inexpensive, widely accessible new tool in the tool kit for managing ADHD symptoms.

    PMID: 18725656 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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    Patient drug information

    • Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin®)

      Dexmethylphenidate is used as part of a treatment program to control symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD; more difficulty focusing, controlling actions, and remaining still or quiet than other peop...

    • Methylphenidate (Concerta®, Metadate®, Methylin®, ...)

      Methylphenidate is used as part of a treatment program to control symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; more difficulty focusing, controlling actions, and remaining still or quiet than other people ...