A New Objective Diagnostic Tool for Attention-Deficit Hyper-Activity Disorder (ADHD): Development of the Distractor-Embedded Auditory Continuous Performance Test


Özaslan A., Sevri M., İşeri E., Karacan B., Karacan H., Cengiz M., ...Daha Fazla

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE, cilt.13, sa.21, ss.1-18, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 13 Sayı: 21
  • Basım Tarihi: 2024
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3390/jcm13216438
  • Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-18
  • Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background/Objectives: Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Traditional diagnostic methods, which depend on subjective assessments, often lack precision. This study evaluates the validity and reliability of a newly developed diagnostic tool, the Distractor-Embedded Auditory Continuous Performance Test (da-CPT), which integrates auditory stimuli with distractors to enhance the clinical utility of ADHD diagnosis. Methods: The study included 160 children aged 6–12 years, comprising 80 with a confirmed ADHD diagnosis and 80 controls. All participants completed the da-CPT, a web-based tool designed to assess inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and timing via an auditory-based task. To validate the da-CPT, participants also completed the Conners’ Parent Rating Scale—Revised Short Form (CPRS-R) and either the MOXO or IVA-2 tests. Data were analyzed using ROC curves and statistical correlations to assess sensitivity, specificity, and overall diagnostic accuracy. Results: The da-CPT demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy, with a sensitivity of 91.25% and specificity of 83.75%. ROC analysis indicated that the inattention index had the highest discriminatory power (AUC = 0.881), followed by timing, impulsivity, and hyperactivity (all p < 0.01). Furthermore, the da-CPT scores were strongly correlated with ADHD severity (p < 0.01). Conclusions: This study confirms that the da-CPT is a valid and reliable tool for diagnosing ADHD in children aged 6–12. By incorporating auditory stimuli and distractors, the tool offers a more ecologically valid assessment of ADHD symptoms in clinical settings, improving diagnostic precision and utility.