New Continuous Performance Tests (CPT) for the Diagnosis of Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (CPT)

February 28, 2018 updated by: Hadassah Medical Organization

New Computerized Continuous Performance Test (CPT) for Diagnosing Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Computerized continuous performance tests (CPT) considered the "gold standard" for diagnosis of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD.

This type of tests are based mainly on visual performance. The available tests suffer from high false negative errors. This raises questions regarding their ability to correctly diagnose ADHD.

With the expanding knowledge regarding the neurobiological basis in ADHD we have learned that attention is not a general property of the whole brain, but involves several coordinated networks. This knowledge promoted us to the stage in which we can recognize different types of attention domains.

Our diagnosis test can separate between the different attention abilities and provide specific diagnosis. Our program is individually fits for the specific child difficulties and covers a wider range of needs. So, it can be helpful to a larger variety of children with different needs.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

Computerized continuous performance tests (CPT) considered the "gold standard" for diagnosis of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and are widely used.

This type of tests measures the number of correctly detected stimuli as well as response time. The diagnosis in this tests based mainly on visual performance. The available tests in the market suffer from high false negative errors. In some subgroups of children the error can be false positive. All this raises questions regarding their ability to correctly diagnose ADHD. There are also doubts regarding the validity of these tests. From the medical literature and from our own experience it seems that with the current tests as much as third of the children who fulfill DSM criteria for ADHD can escape detection.

With the expanding knowledge regarding the neurobiological basis in ADHD we have learned that attention is not a general property of the whole brain, but involves several coordinated networks. These networks must be orchestrated in order to perform normally in three main domains of attention = alertness, orientation and executive function. This raised the need for a better, more accurate and valid computerized test.

This knowledge promoted us to the stage in which we can recognize different types of attention domains. We can separate between - visual attention, auditory attention, spatial attention, integrated attention, sustained attention, covert and overt attention, working memory, the ability to integrate and disintegrate attention, attention span, focusing, impulsivity and response time. Different people have different "subtypes" of ADHD. The individual separation and ability to focus on specific difficulties influence diagnosis process and treatment methods.

Our diagnosis test can separate between the different attention abilities and provide the parents with specific diagnosis of their child and in this way direct them to the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, we expect its falls negative and positive errors to be negligible.

The next phase - involves training and exercise. It is proved that training can improve attention.

We have also developed a computerized training program for children. This program is based on the same platform as the diagnosis test and can recommend on training in the individual difficulties of the specific child.

Other programs are already distributed in the market for the same propose. The other programs focus on improving a general specific skill and ignore (or can not focus) on the specific need of the individual. They can try to improve working memory which is only one aspect in attention domain. Or, based on improving visual-motor skill, which is a skill that can be improved in regular computer games and again focus on a specific short range difficulty. In many children ADHD symptoms and signs are due to other sources. For them improving working memory or visual-motor skills will not change their every day performance.

Our program is better since it is individually fits for the specific child difficulties and covers a wider range of needs. So, it can be helpful to a larger variety of children with different needs.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

500

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Israel
      • Jerusalem, Israel, 91240
        • Neuro-Pediatric Unit, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center Mount Scopus
      • Jerusalem, Israel, 91240
        • Neuro-Pediatric Unit, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

6 years to 12 years (Child)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

6-12 year old children suspected as ADHD otherwise healthy

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • diagnosis of ADHD by the "gold standard" method

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Chronic use of medications, Psychiatric disorder, Abnormal cognitive function

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
2
Children 6-12 years old diagnosed as not suffering from ADHD
1
children 6-12 diagnosed as ADHD

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
accurate diagnosis of ADHD
Time Frame: one year
one year

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
validation
Time Frame: one year
one year

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Hadassah Medical Organization

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

February 1, 2008

Primary Completion (Actual)

May 1, 2010

Study Completion (Actual)

December 1, 2010

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 25, 2008

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 27, 2008

First Posted (Estimate)

March 28, 2008

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 1, 2018

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 28, 2018

Last Verified

August 1, 2009

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 0052-08-HMO-CTIL

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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