Editorial: The Use of Continuous Performance Tasks in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis: A Cautionary Note

Julie B Schweitzer; Elana Zion Golumbic

doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2023.06.012

Editorial: The Use of Continuous Performance Tasks in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis: A Cautionary Note

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2024 Feb;63(2):114-116. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2023.06.012. Epub 2023 Jun 24.

Authors

Julie B Schweitzer¹, Elana Zion Golumbic²

Affiliations

¹ University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California, and the MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California. Electronic address: jschweitzer@ucdavis.edu.
² The Gonda Center for Multidisciplinary Brain Research, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.

PMID: 37402465
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2023.06.012

Abstract

Computer-based cognitive tasks aimed at assessing attention and executive function are used regularly-for both clinical and research purposes-with the belief that they provide an objective assessment of symptoms associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). As rates of the diagnosis of ADHD appear to be exploding, particularly since the onset of COVID-19,¹ there is no doubt as to the need for reliable and valid diagnostic tools for ADHD. One of the most common types of such cognitive tests is continuous performance tasks (CPTs), which putatively not only help in diagnosing ADHD but can differentiate between ADHD subtypes. We urge diagnosticians to take a more cautious approach toward this practice and reconsider how CPTs are used given new evidence.

Publication types

Editorial

MeSH terms

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / psychology
Emotions
Executive Function
Humans
Neuropsychological Tests