If one moves into the practical field

Dreisorner (2006) compares two methods of intervention for children with hyperkinetic disorders under field conditions (THOP by Dopfner et al., 1998; attention training by Lauth & Schlottke, 2002). The stated aim of this study was to discover whether the interventions were effective under suboptimal conditions. The attempt failed for various reasons. First of all, participants were not randomly assigned to the two conditions. The "attention training" was not carried out according to the manual and the effects achieved in the THOP group were partly influenced by a medication given at the same time. Finally, the study design did not meet the requirements for the type of field test the author intended to conduct. Suggestions for a more appropriate form of evaluation are discussed.