A-10 Conners Continuous Performance Test-3 in the Evaluation of ADHD Among Veterans

Objective The purpose of this study was to compare performance on the Conners Continuous Performance Test, third edition (CPT-3), between veterans with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and between presentation types. Method This is a retrospective chart review of 226 consecutively referred veterans who completed a standardized, ADHD assessment at a Mid-Atlantic VA Medical Center. ADHD status was determined from a structured interview; all included subjects completed the CPT-3 and validity measures. ANOVA was used to evaluate group differences in T scores across 9 CPT-3 variables. Chi square was used to further evaluate group differences using impairment ranges in the CPT-3 manual. Results Final valid sample included 85 veterans with and 54 without ADHD. Veterans with ADHD only showed significantly higher T scores on Hit Reaction Time Standard Deviation, F(1, 137) = 7.7, p = .006, η2 = 0.05, and Hit Reaction Times Inter-Stimulus Interval Change (HRT-ISIC), F(1, 137) = 12.8, p < .001, η2 = 0.09. Veterans diagnosed with ADHD showed higher percentages of scores classified in the impaired ranges for Commissions χ2(1) = 4.3 (p < .039, V = 0.18) and HRT-ISIC χ2(1) = 4.5 (p < .035, V = 0.18). Neither ANOVA or χ2 analyses revealed group differences between ADHD presentations for any CPT-3 measures. Conclusions Performance on the CPT-3 was poorer in the ADHD group only for 2 of 9 scores. The CPT-3 was consistently unable to differentiate inattentive from hyperactive/combined ADHD. Diagnostic utility of the CPT-3 in ADHD evaluations may be limited in veteran populations.