Prevention programs that target resilience may help youth address mental health difficulties and promote well-being during public health crises.

To examine the preliminary efficacy of the Resilient Youth Program (RYP).

The RYP was delivered remotely from a US academic medical centre to youth in the community via a naturalistic pilot study. Data from 66 youth (ages 6–18, Mage = 11.65, SD = 3.02) and their parents were collected via quality assurance procedures (May 2020 to March 2021). Pre/post-intervention child/parent-reported psychological and stress symptoms as well as well-being measures were compared via Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Child/parent-reported skills use data were collected.

Among child-reported outcomes, there were significant decreases in physical stress (p = .03), anxiety (p = .004), depressive symptoms (p < .001) and anger (p = .002), as well as increased life satisfaction (p = .02). There were no significant differences in child-reported psychological stress (p = .06) or positive affect (p = .09). Among parent-reported child outcomes, there were significant decreases in psychological (p < .001) and physical stress (p = .03), anxiety (p < .001), depressive symptoms (p < .001), and anger (p < .002) as well as increased positive affect (p < .001) and life satisfaction (p < .001). Effect sizes ranged from small to medium; 77% of youth (73% of parents) reported using RYP skills. Age and gender were not associated with outcome change.

The RYP may help reduce psychological/stress symptoms and increase well-being among youth; further research is needed.

Evening-dosed DR/ER-MPH (formerly HLD200), a delayed-release and extended-release methylphenidate, was designed to provide efficacy upon awakening and through the evening. The objective was to evaluate whether treatment with DR/ER-MPH in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): (1) improves caregiver-rated ADHD symptoms, and (2) reduces caregiver strain, versus placebo.

Caregiver-rated ADHD symptoms (Conners’ Global Index–Parent [CGI-P]) and caregiver strain (Caregiver Strain Questionnaire [CGSQ]) were assessed as secondary endpoints following 3 weeks of treatment in a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase 3 trial of DR/ER-MPH in children (6-12 years) with ADHD (NCT02520388). Using the 10-item CGI-P, parents rated their child’s ADHD symptoms on a 4-point scale (0=never/seldom; 3=very often/frequently). Caregivers also rated the impact of caring for a child with emotional and behavioral challenges on the 21-item CGSQ (5-point scale: 1=not at all; 5=very much). A reduction on individual item and total scores for both measures indicated an improvement.

Of 163 children enrolled across 22 sites, 161 were included in the intent-to-treat population (DR/ER-MPH, n=81; placebo, n=80) and 138 completed the study. The mean DR/ER-MPH dose after 3 weeks of treatment was 68.1 mg. Mean CGI-P scores at baseline and CGSQ scores at screening (ie, before washout of prior ADHD therapy) were comparable for both DR/ER-MPH (CGI-P: 22.8, CGSQ: 54.5) and placebo (CGI-P: 21.8; CGSQ: 54.9) groups. After 3 weeks of treatment, caregivers of children onDR/ER-MPH reported significant reductions in CGI-P scores versus those on placebo (least-squares [LS] mean: 12.3 vs 17.4; P<0.001). Additionally, there was a significant reduction in CGSQ scores after 3 weeks of treatment with DR/ER-MPH versus placebo (LS mean: 41.2 vs 49.1; P<0.001). Post hoc analyses on the effect of DR/ER-MPHversus placebo on individual items of CGI-P and CGSQ, and the two subscales of CGI-P will be presented. No serious TEAEs were reported and all TEAEs were consistent with those of MPH.

Caregivers reported significant improvements in their child’s ADHD symptoms and these improvements coincided with reductions in caregiver strain after 3 weeks of treatment on evening-dosed DR/ER-MPH versus placebo.

Ironshore Pharmaceuticals & Development, Inc.

In a phase 3 trial of children with ADHD, DR/ER-MPH (formerly HLD200), a delayed-release and extended-release methylphenidate, improved ADHD symptoms and reduced at-home early morning and late afternoon/evening functional impairments versus placebo, as measured by the validated Parent Rating of Evening andMorning Behaviors-Revised, Morning (PREMB-R AM) and Evening (PREMB-R PM) subscales. This post hoc analysis evaluated the effect of DR/ER-MPH versus placebo onindividual PREMB-R AM/PM item scores.

Data were analyzed from a pivotal, randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase 3 trial of DR/ER-MPH in children (6-12 years) withADHD (NCT02520388). Using the 3-item PREMB-R AM and 8-item PREMB-R PM, both key secondary endpoints, investigators evaluated early morning and lateafternoon/evening functional impairment by scoring each item on a severity scale from 0 (none) to 3 (a lot). For post hoc analyses, treatment comparisons between DR/ER-MPH and placebo at endpoint were determined by using least squares mean changes from baseline on individual PREMB-R AM/PM items score derived from an analysis ofcovariance (ANCOVA) model with treatment as the main effect, and study center and baseline score as covariates.

Of 163 children enrolled across 22 sites, 161 were included in the intent-to-treat population (DR/ER-MPH, n=81; placebo, n=80) and 138 completed the study. The mean DR/ER-MPH dose achieved after 3 weeks of treatment was 68.1 mg. Following 3 weeks of treatment, DR/ER-MPH significantly reduced mean individual item scores from baseline versus placebo on all PREMB-R AM items (all P≤0.002; “getting out of bed”, “getting ready”, and “arguing or struggling in the morning”). Additionally, DR/ER-MPH significantly reduced mean individual item scores from baseline on 5 out of 8 PREMB-R PM items (P<0.01 in 2 items [“sitting through dinner” and “playing quietly”] and P<0.05 in 3 items [“inattentive/distractible”, “transitioning between activities”, and “settling down/getting ready for bed”]). There was a trend towards a reduction on 2 other items of the PREMB-R PM (P<0.09). Distributions of the ratings for each item will be presented. No serious TEAEs were reported; TEAEs were consistent withmethylphenidate.

Post hoc analyses revealed that DR/ER-MPH significantly reduced all PREMB-R AM item scores, including “getting out of bed”, and many PREMB-R PM items, including “getting ready for bed” in children with ADHD. These findings are worth further exploration.

Ironshore Pharmaceuticals & Development, Inc.

In a phase 3 trial of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), DR/ER-MPH (formerly HLD200), a delayed-release and extended-release methylphenidate, improved ADHD symptoms and reduced at-home early morning and late afternoon/evening functional impairment versus placebo. The validated Before School Functioning Questionnaire (BSFQ), a key secondary endpoint, was used to measure early morning functional (EMF) impairment. This post hoc analysis evaluated the effect of DR/ER-MPH versus placebo on individual BSFQ item scores from baseline.

Data were analyzed from a pivotal, randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase 3 trial of DR/ER-MPH in children (6-12 years) withADHD (NCT02520388). Using the 20-item BSFQ, investigators evaluated EMF impairment by scoring each item on a severity scale of 0 to 3, with 0 denoting “no impairment” and 3 denoting “severe impairment”. For post hoc analyses, treatment comparisons between DR/ER-MPH and placebo at endpoint were determined by using least squares mean changes from baseline on individual BSFQ items score derived from an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model with treatment as the main effect, and study center and baseline score as covariates.

Of 163 children enrolled across 22 sites, 161 were included in the intent-to-treat population (DR/ER-MPH, n=81; placebo, n=80) and 138 completed the study. The mean DR/ER-MPH dose achieved after 3 weeks of treatment was 68.1 mg. Following 3 weeks of treatment, DR/ER-MPH significantly reduced mean BSFQ item scores frombaseline on 18 out of 20 items versus placebo (P<0.001 in 8 items [listening, following directions, attention, forgetfulness, talkativeness, silliness, time awareness, getting to school]; P<0.01 in 7 items [overall organization, being quiet, distraction, interrupt/blurt out, breakfast, hygiene, independence]; P<0.05 in 3 items [procrastination, hyperactivity, awaiting turn]). Only “dressing” and “misplacing/losing items” showed no significant between-group differences (P=0.171 and P=0.175, respectively). Distributions of the severity ratings for each item will be presented. No serious TEAEs were reported; TEAEs were consistent with methylphenidate.

Post hoc analyses revealed that DR/ER-MPH significantly reduced 18 out of 20 individual BSFQ item scores versus placebo in children with ADHD. These findings are worth further exploration.

Ironshore Pharmaceuticals & Development, Inc.

Assess cardiovascular effects of once-daily mixed amphetamine salts extended release (MAS XR) in adolescents (13–17 years of age) with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Blood pressure (BP), pulse, and electrocardiograms were assessed in 327 healthy subjects during a 4-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, forced dose-titration study. Placebo (n=69) or once-daily MAS XR(10, 20, 30, or 40 mg) was administered to subjects ≤75 kg (n=233); 50- and 60-mg MAS XR was administered to subjects >75 kg (n=25). One hundred thirty-eight subjects participated in a 6-month, open-label extension study.

Changes in BP and QTcB (Bazett's formula) intervals at 4 weeks with MAS XR were not significantly different from the placebo group. Pulse increased by 5.0 and 8.5 bpm after 3 weeks with MAS XR 20 and 50 mg/day, respectively (P≤.002). After 6 months of open-label MAS XR treatment, mean increases in systolic BP (1.7 mm Hg; P=.0252) and pulse (4.4 bpm; P<.0001) were statistically, but not clinically, significant diastolic BP was not significantly changed (0.6 mm Hg) A decrease in QTcB interval (-4.6±19.9 msec) was statistically (P=.009), but not clinically, significant. There were no serious cardiovascular adverse events.

Cardiovascular effects of short- and long-term MAS XR treatment (≤60 mg/day) were minimal in otherwise healthy adolescents with ADHD.