Forty-three hyperactive children (5 to 9 years old) and their families were assessed and followed during a 3 month intervention program. Families were randomly assigned to one of three groups: parent training in behavior modification while the child was administered a placebo, parent training plus methylphenidate, and methylphenidate only. All groups showed improved home and school behavior. However, only with medication were there also gains on measures of attention and impulse control. The results also revealed greater improvement in the area of academic achievement and classroom behavior in the medication groups as compared with children on placebo. There was no evidence of significant benefit from the addition of parent training to the administration of medication. (Author)