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Background and Objective: Methadone is a synthetic opioid which is used in opium addiction therapy and relief of acute and chronic pain. Side effects of Methadone were reported on heart and induction of Torsade De Pointes disease and increase QTc interval in electrocardiogram. This study was conducted to determine the effect of Methadone therapy on QTc interval in electrocardiogram and its relationship with dosage and duration of Methadone therapy. Method: This cohort study was conducted on 60 opium addicted patients (57 males, 3 females) whom referred to “Methadone Therapy Clinic” in 5 Azar teaching hospital in Gorgan, northern Iran during 2009-10. Patients were divided to three groups based on the dosage of methadone: 0-35 mg (27 cases), 35-55 mg (27 cases) and 55-120 mg (26 cases) per day. QTc interval in electrocardiogram was measured at the beginning of study, one month and 5 months afterward. Results: The mean±SD of QTc interval in patients at the beginning, one month and 5 months afterward of study was 0.42±0.027, 0.43±0.029 and 0.43±0.041 seconds, respectively. There was a significant increase in QTc interval after one month of methadone therapy, compared to the beginning of study. There was no significant difference in QTc interval between 1 month and 5 months following methadone therapy. There was no significant difference between QTc interval and different dosage of methadone. Conclusion: Methadone therapy increase QTc interval but there is not any relationship between dosage and duration of methadone therapy and QTc interval.

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Background and Objective: Hyperactivity / attention deficit disorder (ADHD) with 3-5% is the most common disorder in children. This study was done to compare the efficacy of behavioral, medicinal and combination of behavioral and medicinal therapy on reduction of ADHD symptoms in children. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was carried out on 40 male elementary students with ADHD in Gorgan, Northern Iran during 2011-12. Subjects were divided into the four groups including control, behavioral, medicinal (Ritalin 10 mg three times per day) and combination of behavioral and medicinal therapy. Conner's Rating Scale for parents (home) and teachers (school) were used in pretest-posttest spot after 8 weeks therapy. Results: After intervention ADHD symptoms significantly reduced in behavioral, medicinal and combination of behavioral and medicinal therapy in compared to controls (P<0.05), but this reduction was more in medicinal and combination of behavioral and medicinal therapy groups than behavioral group. Conclusion: Medicinal and combination of behavioral and medicinal therapy has the same efficacy in reducing ADHD symptoms in children.