The Placebo Response in Adult ADHD as Objectively Assessed by the TOVA Continuous Performance Test. Issue 9 (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rotem, Ann; Ben-Sheetrit, Joseph; Newcorn, Jeffrey; Danieli, Yaron; Peskin, Miriam; Golubchik, Pavel; Ben-Hayun, Rachel; Weizman, Abraham; Manor, Iris
• Is Part Of: Journal of attention disorders. Volume 25:Issue 9(2021)
• Page Start: 1311
• Page End: 1320
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: continuous performance test -- placebo response -- adult ADHD; Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Periodicals; Attention -- Periodicals; 616.8589
• DOI: 10.1177/1087054719897819
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1087-0547

Abstract

Objective: We compared the placebo response (PR) as measured by the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) and the Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) scores.Method: A retrospective data analysis from a double-blind placebo-controlled study of metadoxine-ER in adults with ADHD. An additional database was used for comparison to TOVA response after methylphenidate challenge (TOVA-MPH-R).Results: PR was highest when calculated from the TOVA-Attention Composite Score (ACS). The PR showed significantly fewer variables improving concomitantly compared with MPH-R. The most prominent correlation between the CAARS-PR and the TOVA-PR was in the Omissions score ( p = .032), which was age-dependent ( b = .0007, p <.001).Discussion: TOVA-PR has an index-specific profile compared with CAARS-PR and TOVA-MPH-R. The partial correlation of TOVA-PR with CAARS-PR suggests that a composite score of TOVA specific indices and CAARS could have a synergic impact to improve the reliability of the response assessment in adult ADHD.