A-29 Lack of Performance Differences on the RCFT between Administration Methods in Adults with ADHD

Objective The Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT) has the potential to assess executive function deficits commonly associated with ADHD. While commonly scored using the visuospatial criterion established in the Qualitative Scoring System (QSS), alternative methods have incorporated administration using colored pencils to evaluate planning and organization. Existing literature has discouraged administration using the colored pencil approach given suggestion that distractibility will impair performance. The current study challenged the assumption that individuals with distractibility should not be exposed to color administration. Methods Data was extracted from files of ADHD individuals previously assessed at a southern Florida hospital. A total of 25 participants (11 females and 14 males) were included in the analysis. Methods of analysis included independent t-tests and ANOVA to explore moderating factors of age, sex, race and diagnostic presentation. Results This study found that performance across the various parts of the test were not significantly different based on administration method (t = −1.021, p = 0.318, 95% CI: −4.3755, 1.4845). Interestingly, an ANOVA revealed no significant differences between the broad demographic groups in their performance. Independent t-test did not indicate that the RCFT performance could differentiate between types of ADHD (t = 0.118, p = 0.907, 95% CI: −2.8420, 3.1862). Conclusion In contrast to the RCFT manual, the results of the data analysis revealed no significant differences between administration methods in a highly inattentive population group. This study provides the basis for the introduction of studying the RCFT as a diagnostic tool for re-assessing ADHD throughout adulthood.