Efficacy of Continuous Performance Testing in Adult ADHD in a Clinical Sample Using QbTest+. Issue 11 (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Adamou, Marios; Jones, Sarah L.; Marks, Laura; Lowe, Deborah
• Is Part Of: Journal of attention disorders. Volume 26:Issue 11(2022)
• Page Start: 1483
• Page End: 1491
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: QbTest -- ADHD -- adult ADHD -- continuous performance test; Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Periodicals; Attention -- Periodicals; 616.8589
• DOI: 10.1177/10870547221079798
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1087-0547

Abstract

Objective: Continuous performance tests are widely used to aid diagnostic decision making and measure symptom reduction in adult ADHD clinical populations. The diagnostic accuracy of the Quantified Behavior Test plus (QbTest+), developed to identify ADHD populations as an objective measure of ADHD symptoms, was explored. Methods: The utility of the QbTest+ was investigated in a clinical cohort of 69 adult patients referred to a specialist ADHD clinic in the UK. Results: Scores from the QbTest+ failed to differentiate between patients diagnosed with ADHD and those who did not receive a diagnosis after full clinical assessment. Conclusions: Based on our findings, we recommend clinicians are cautious when interpreting results of the QbTest+ in clinical populations. This study highlights the need for investigation into the lack of validation of commonly used objective measures in ADHD populations.