Effects of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis on Driving Ability, Memory Functioning, Sustained Attention, and Quality of Life §

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare driving ability, memory, and psychomotor performance during grass pollen season with winter season in untreated patients with SAR. Methods: Patients with SAR were trained and tested during the grass pollen season (summer) and winter. An on-the-road driving test during normal traffic conditions was performed. Primary parameter is the Standard Deviation of Lateral Position (SDLP), i.e. the weaving of the car. In addition, a word learning test and continuous performance test were performed and quality of life was assessed. Patients were included if in winter the Total 5-Symptoms Score (T5SS) was < 3 and in summer the T5SS was > 3. Results: 70 patients were recruited of which 22 started the study. Fifteen patients completed the study of which 11 met the inclusion criteria. These 11 patients had a mean T5SS of 6.8 in summer and 0.6 in winter. Patient reported a significantly reduced overall quality of life during grass pollen season (p<0.0001). No significant effects were found on the driving test, except a significant (but not relevant) decrease in mean speed during the grass pollen season (p<0.035). No significant effects were found on the word learning test and continuous performance test. Conclusion: Our data suggest that moderate SAR symptoms do not impair driving ability, memory functioning and continuous performance. However, given the small sample size future studies should confirm these findings.

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Mindfulness Meditation Improves Mood, Quality of Life, and Attention in Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2015/962857 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Viviane Freire Bueno ◽

Elisa H. Kozasa ◽

Maria Aparecida da Silva ◽

Tânia Maria Alves ◽

Mario Rodrigues Louzã ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Adult Adhd ◽

Performance Test ◽

Mindfulness Meditation ◽

Continuous Performance Test ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Impaired Attention

Objective. Adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) display affective problems and impaired attention. Mood in ADHD can be improved by mindful awareness practices (MAP), but results are mixed regarding the enhancement of attentional performance. Here we evaluated MAP-induced changes in quality of life (QoL), mood, and attention in adult ADHD patients and controls using more measures of attention than prior studies.Methods. Twenty-one ADHD patients and 8 healthy controls underwent 8 weekly MAP sessions; 22 similar patients and 9 controls did not undergo the intervention. Mood and QoL were assessed using validated questionnaires, and attention was evaluated using the Attentional Network Test (ANT) and the Conners Continuous Performance Test (CPT II), before and after intervention.Results. MAP enhanced sustained attention (ANT) and detectability (CPT II) and improved mood and QoL of patients and controls.Conclusion. MAP is a complementary intervention that improves affect and attention of adults with ADHD and controls.

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Contingent Negative Variation (CNV) bei Kindern mit hyperkinetischem Syndrom - eine experimentelle Untersuchung mittels des Continuous Performance Test (CPT)

Zeitschrift für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie ◽

10.1024//1422-4917.28.4.239 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 239-246 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

K. Hennighausen ◽

G. Schulte-Körne ◽

A. Warnke ◽

H. Remschmidt

Keyword(s):

Contingent Negative Variation ◽

Performance Test ◽

Continuous Performance Test ◽

Continuous Performance ◽

Experimentelle Untersuchung

Zusammenfassung Fragestellung: Gibt es neurophysiologische Korrelate der Aufmerksamkeitsstörung beim hyperkinetischen Syndrom (HKS) und welche Bedeutung haben diese für die Ätiologie der Störung. Methodik: Selektive Aufmerksamkeitsprozesse wurden anhand des zweistufigen Continuous Performance Test (CPT) bei 18 Jungen mit hyperkinetischem Syndrom (HKS) untersucht und mit einer nach dem Alter parallelisierten Kontrollgruppe von 21 Jungen verglichen. Die Altersspanne der Stichprobe betrug 6 bis 12 Jahre. Parallel dazu wurden ereigniskorrelierte Potentiale (EKP) während des Tests an den Elektrodenpositionen Fz, Cz, Pz und Oz mit Referenz zu verbundenen Ohren abgeleitet. Ergebnisse: Im EKP nach dem präparatorischen Stimulus konnten zwei Komponenten der Contingent Negative Variation (CNV) mit unterschiedlicher topographischer Verteilung identifiziert werden (CNV-1: 600 bis 1100 ms und CNV-2: 1000 bis 1500 ms nach Stimulus). Die Stichproben unterschieden sich nicht auf der Verhaltensebene (Fehlerrate und Reaktionszeit). Signifikante Gruppenunterschiede ergaben sich hinsichtlich der Topographie der beiden CNV-Komponenten. Kinder mit HKS zeigten im Vergleich zu Kontrollkindern eine signifikant niedrigere CNV-1 über der frontalen und eine Tendenz zu stärkerer Negativierung (CNV-1 und CNV-2) über der occipitalen Elektrode. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Ergebnisse unterstützen die Hypothese einer Unterfunktion frontaler inhibitorischer Prozesse bei Kindern mit HKS.

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Comparing the Mathematics Continuous Performance Test With Other Measures of Tests of Attention

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759/a000261 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 291-297 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dubi Lufi ◽

Shachar Pan

Keyword(s):

Performance Test ◽

Continuous Performance Test ◽

Clinical Population ◽

Control Group ◽

Continuous Performance ◽

Adhd Assessment ◽

Research Reporting ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Continuous Performance Tests ◽

Better Than

Abstract. Several studies have shown that Continuous Performance Tests (CPT) can diagnose Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) better than other tests. Research reporting comparisons of two or more CPT-type tests is scarce. The purpose of the study was to compare the Mathematics Continuous Performance Test (MATH-CPT) with another CPT-type test (CPT II) and a questionnaire (the Brown Scale). The comparison was carried out by looking at correlations among subscales and checking the precision of detecting ADHD. Ninety-five high school and college students participated in the study, 41 with ADHD were the research group and 54 were the control group. The participants performed the two tests and answered the questionnaire. The results showed that the MATH-CPT correctly identified 74.50% of the participants of both groups as compared to the 71.60% of the CPT II. Correlations between the two CPT-type tests were moderate; however, they were similar to correlations found in other studies comparing similar tools. The MATH-CPT, final attention formula, showed significant correlations with the Brown scales, while the CPT II, confidence index associated with ADHD assessment, showed nonsignificant correlations with the questionnaire. The study indicated that MATH-CPT can be used with a clinical population of ADHD and for research purposes.

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