What do systematic reviews say?

Methylphenidate vs placebo or no intervention

It is very uncertain whether methylphenidate changes quality of life (parent‐rated) compared with placebo or no intervention (very low certainty).

• Methylphenidate for children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  SMD 0.4
  4 studies · 608 participants
  Very low