Efficacy of Continuous Performance Testing in Adult ADHD in a Clinical Sample Using QbTest

J Atten Disord. 2022 Sep;26(11):1483-1491. doi: 10.1177/10870547221079798. Epub 2022 Mar 7.

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.

Keywords: ADHD; QbTest; adult ADHD; continuous performance test.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attention
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / diagnosis
  • Behavior Rating Scale
  • Humans