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It Takes Time: Vigilance and Sustained Attention Assessment in Adults with ADHD

Author

Listed:
  • Anselm B. M. Fuermaier

    (Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, 9712 TS Groningen, The Netherlands)

  • Lara Tucha

    (Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, 9712 TS Groningen, The Netherlands
    Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany)

  • Nana Guo

    (Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, 9712 TS Groningen, The Netherlands)

  • Christian Mette

    (Department of Psychology, Protestant University of Applied Sciences Bochum, 44809 Bochum, Germany
    Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany)

  • Bernhard W. Müller

    (Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
    Department of Psychology, University of Wuppertal, 42119 Wuppertal, Germany)

  • Norbert Scherbaum

    (Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany)

  • Oliver Tucha

    (Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
    Department of Psychology, National University of Ireland, W23 F2H6 Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland)

Abstract

Objectives : The present study compares the utility of eight different tests of vigilance and sustained attention in the neuropsychological examination of adults with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods : Thirty-one adults diagnosed with ADHD performed eight tests for vigilance and sustained attention, spread over three assessment days. Results : Adults with ADHD showed cognitive impairments in most tests and test variables, even though their sensitivity differed greatly. No specific type of test variable stands out to be the most sensitive, and no evidence for a differential deterioration of performance over time was observed. Conclusion : This study underscores the role of vigilance and sustained attention tests in the assessment of adult ADHD. It is further concluded that summary scores over the entire test duration are sufficient, but that all variables of a test should be considered. Finally, we hypothesize that reassessment on a different day may benefit a more accurate clinical assessment of adults with ADHD, in order to adequately take intraindividual fluctuations and limitations regarding test reliability into account.

Suggested Citation

  • Anselm B. M. Fuermaier & Lara Tucha & Nana Guo & Christian Mette & Bernhard W. Müller & Norbert Scherbaum & Oliver Tucha, 2022. "It Takes Time: Vigilance and Sustained Attention Assessment in Adults with ADHD," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5216-:d:801831
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Christian Mette, 2023. "Time Perception in Adult ADHD: Findings from a Decade—A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-18, February.
    2. Nana Guo & Janneke Koerts & Lara Tucha & Isabel Fetter & Christina Biela & Miriam König & Magdalena Bossert & Carsten Diener & Steffen Aschenbrenner & Matthias Weisbrod & Oliver Tucha & Anselm B. M. F, 2022. "Stability of Attention Performance of Adults with ADHD over Time: Evidence from Repeated Neuropsychological Assessments in One-Month Intervals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-14, November.
    3. Diana Babajanyan & Leanne Freame & Ray Steele & Alison Poulton, 2023. "Understanding Attentional Functioning in Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder—Could This Improve Diagnostic Specificity?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-13, March.

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