2020 Volume 11 Pages 35-42
Purpose: Although attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has historically been thought to be predominantly a childhood disorder, many cases of ADHD persist into adulthood. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the symptoms and efficacy of medication using objective assessment tools in adults with ADHD. The aim of this study was to assess usefulness of the Clinical Assessment for Attention Test (CAT) comprising Span, Cancellation and Detection Test, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, memory updating test, paced auditory serial addition test, position Stroop test, and continuous performance test (CPT) for adults with ADHD.
Methods: ADHD outpatients without intellectual disorders (IQ ≥ 80) with age range of 20-39 years were recruited (15 males and 10 females; mean age 27.7 ± 5.5). The participants did not receive any psychopharmacological treatment and were assessed with CAT at baseline.
Results: The patients showed significantly decreased attention scores in Cancellation and Detection Test (Visual Cancellation Task and Auditory Detection Task) and CPT, although this decrease was not correlated to age or intelligence quotient. The effect of psychopharmacological treatment was assessed in two participants using CAT.
Discussion: Cancellation and Detection Test and CPT are useful tools to support the diagnosis of adults with ADHD as well as evaluation of the efficacy of psychopharmacological treatment.
