Eye-Tracking Training Improves Inhibitory Control in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Disinhibition is a common sign among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The present study examined the effect of computerized eye-tracking training to improve inhibitory control in ADHD children. Thirty-two ADHD children (mean age = 8.4 years) were recruited. Half of the participants underwent 240 min of eye-tracking training over two weeks (i.e., experimental group), while the other half did not receive any training (i.e., control group). After training, the experimental group exhibited significant improvements in neuropsychological tests of inhibition, such as faster reaction time in the incongruent condition of the Flanker test, more unique designs in the Category Fluency and Five-Point Tests, and a faster completion time in Trail 2 of the Children’s Color Trail Test. The control group did not show significant changes in any of these tests. Our findings support the use of eye-tracking training to improve the inhibitory control of ADHD children.

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Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: the impact of methylphenidate on working memory, inhibition capacity and mental flexibility

Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria ◽

10.1590/0004-282x20170030 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 75 (4) ◽

pp. 204-208 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Cristiana Bolfer ◽

Sandra Pasquali Pacheco ◽

Miriam Harumi Tsunemi ◽

Walter Souza Carreira ◽

Beatriz Borba Casella ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Working Memory ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Digit Span ◽

Control Group ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Mental Flexibility ◽

Adhd Children ◽

Memory Inhibition ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACT Objective To compare children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), before and after the use of methylphenidate, and a control group, using tests of working memory, inhibition capacity and mental flexibility. Methods Neuropsychological tests were administrated to 53 boys, 9–12 years old: the WISC-III digit span backward, and arithmetic; Stroop Color; and Trail Making Tests. The case group included 23 boys with ADHD, who were combined type, treatment-naive, and with normal intelligence without comorbidities. The control group (n = 30) were age and gender matched. After three months on methylphenidate, the ADHD children were retested. The control group was also retested after three months. Results Before treatment, ADHD children had lower scores than the control group on the tests (p ≤ 0.001) and after methylphenidate had fewer test errors than before (p ≤ 0.001) Conclusion Methylphenidate treatment improves the working memory, inhibitory control and mental flexibility of ADHD boys.

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Computerized Eye-Tracking Training Improves the Saccadic Eye Movements of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci10121016 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 1016

Author(s):

Tsz Lok Lee ◽

Michael K. Yeung ◽

Sophia L. Sze ◽

Agnes S. Chan

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Eye Movements ◽

Eye Tracking ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Saccadic Eye Movements ◽

Saccade Latency ◽

Pharmacological Intervention ◽

Control Group ◽

Children With Adhd ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder

Abnormal saccadic eye movements, such as longer anti-saccade latency and lower pro-saccade accuracy, are common in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of computerized eye-tracking training on improving saccadic eye movements in children with ADHD. Eighteen children with ADHD (mean age = 8.8 years, 10 males) were recruited and assigned to either the experimental (n = 9) or control group (n = 9). The experimental group underwent an accumulated 240 min of eye-tracking training within two weeks, whereas the control group engaged in web game playing for the same amount of time. Saccadic performances were assessed using the anti- and pro-saccade tasks before and after training. Compared to the baseline, only the children who underwent the eye-tracking training showed significant improvements in saccade latency and accuracy in the anti- and pro-saccade tasks, respectively. In contrast, the control group exhibited no significant changes. These preliminary findings support the use of eye-tracking training as a safe non-pharmacological intervention for improving the saccadic eye movements of children with ADHD.

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Can Parents Improve the Quality of Life of Their Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

Iranian Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.18502/ijps.v14i2.995 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Maryam Kousha ◽

Mohammad Abbasi Kakrodi

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Triple P ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Adhd Children ◽

The Mean

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of mothers’ Group psychoeducation on Quality of Life (QoL) of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Method: In this clinical trial, 60 mothers of ADHD children were randomly divided into two groups (30 participants in each group). An educational program based on Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) was performed for the intervention group, while only pharmacotherapy was provided for the control group. Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (Peds QL) was completed by all 60 mothers before, eight week, and three months after intervention. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation, and K-square or paired t test were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 60 mothers participated in this study. Of their children, 80% were boys and 20% were girls. The mean of the total score of QoL increased significantly in the intervention group at week eight and three months after the intervention. Also, the mean scores of emotional, social, school and psychosocial domains, but not physical domain of QoL, found to be higher in ADHD children after intervention (p< 0.05). The total score of QoL and mean scores of domains increased in the posttest in the control group, but it was not significant (p> 0.05). Conclusion: A significant increase in the total score of QoL was reported by mothers in the posttest compared to the pretest in the experimental group, which showed that educating parents can improve the QoL of their ADHD children.

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Computer-based inhibitory control training in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Evidence for behavioral and neural impact

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0241352 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (11) ◽

pp. e0241352

Author(s):

Kristin N. Meyer ◽

Rosario Santillana ◽

Brian Miller ◽

Wes Clapp ◽

Marcus Way ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Psychological Disorder ◽

Stop Signal Task ◽

Control Group ◽

Children With Adhd ◽

Theta Power ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Computerized Training

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed psychological disorder of childhood. Medication and cognitive behavioral therapy are effective treatments for many children; however, adherence to medication and therapy regimens is low. Thus, identifying effective adjunct treatments is imperative. Previous studies exploring computerized training programs as supplementary treatments have targeted working memory or attention. However, many lines of research suggest inhibitory control (IC) plays a central role in ADHD pathophysiology, which makes IC a potential intervention target. In this randomized control trial (NCT03363568), we target IC using a modified stop-signal task (SST) training designed by NeuroScouting, LLC in 40 children with ADHD, aged 8 to 11 years. Children were randomly assigned to adaptive treatment (n = 20) or non-adaptive control (n = 20) with identical stimuli and task goals. Children trained at home for at least 5 days a week (about 15m/day) for 4-weeks. Relative to the control group, the treatment group showed decreased relative theta power in resting EEG and trending improvements in parent ratings of attention (i.e. decreases in inattentive behaviors). Both groups showed improved SST performance. There was not evidence for treatment effects on hyperactivity or teacher ratings of symptoms. Results suggest training IC alone has potential to positively impact symptoms of ADHD and provide evidence for neural underpinnings of this impact (change in theta power; change in N200 latency). This shows promising initial results for the use of computerized training of IC in children with ADHD as a potential adjunct treatment option for children with ADHD.

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Quantitative EEG in Children and Adults With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Clinical EEG and Neuroscience ◽

10.1177/1550059416643824 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 48 (1) ◽

pp. 20-32 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Silvana Markovska-Simoska ◽

Nada Pop-Jordanova

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Power Spectra ◽

Normal Subjects ◽

Control Group ◽

Relative Power ◽

Frequency Bands ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Adhd Children ◽

The Absolute

In recent decades, resting state electroencephalographic (EEG) measures have been widely used to document underlying neurophysiological dysfunction in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although most EEG studies focus on children, there is a growing interest in adults with ADHD too. The aim of this study was to objectively assess and compare the absolute and relative EEG power as well as the theta/beta ratio in children and adults with ADHD. The evaluated sample comprised 30 male children and 30 male adults with ADHD diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria. They were compared with 30 boys and 30 male adults matched by age. The mean age (±SD) of the children’s group was 9 (±2.44) years and the adult group 35.8 (±8.65) years. EEG was recorded during an eyes-open condition. Spectral analysis of absolute (μV2) and relative power (%) was carried out for 4 frequency bands: delta (2-4 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (8-13 Hz), and beta (13-21 Hz). The findings obtained for ADHD children are increased absolute power of slow waves (theta and delta), whereas adults exhibited no differences compared with normal subjects. For the relative power spectra there were no differences between the ADHD and control groups. Across groups, the children showed greater relative power than the adults in the delta and theta bands, but for the higher frequency bands (alpha and beta) the adults showed more relative power than children. Only ADHD children showed greater theta/beta ratio compared to the normal group. Classification analysis showed that ADHD children could be differentiated from the control group by the absolute theta values and theta/beta ratio at Cz, but this was not the case with ADHD adults. The question that should be further explored is if these differences are mainly due to maturation processes or if there is a core difference in cortical arousal between ADHD children and adults.

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Emotional response inhibition in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: neural and behavioural data

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291714003195 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 45 (10) ◽

pp. 2057-2071 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

S. López-Martín ◽

J. Albert ◽

A. Fernández-Jaén ◽

L. Carretié

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Response Inhibition ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Event Related Potentials ◽

Emotional Dysregulation ◽

Neural Mechanisms ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Adhd Children ◽

Related Potentials

BackgroundAlthough both emotion and response inhibition are thought to be important in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), little is known about the neural mechanisms that underlie the interaction between these two processes in patients with this disorder. This study aimed at examining how emotional contexts affect inhibitory control in children with ADHD.MethodA total of 24 ADHD children and 24 healthy comparison subjects performed a modified go/no-go task during three different emotionally laden contexts: negative, neutral and positive. To explore the timing and the underlying neural substrates of emotion-modulated response inhibition, event-related potentials were measured and further analysed both at the scalp and at the voxel level.ResultsPatients with ADHD showed greater activation of inhibition-related neural mechanisms (i.e. no-go P3 amplitudes and orbitofrontal cortex activity) to maintain a similar level of performance as healthy comparison subjects, especially during the emotionally arousing contexts (negative and positive).ConclusionsThis study provides plausible neural mechanisms for the difficulty that ADHD children have in controlling their behaviour in highly emotional situations. Such emotional contexts might increase the need for top-down inhibitory control and put ADHD children at greater risk for impulsive behaviours and emotional dysregulation.

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Association between DRD4 rs1800955 polymorphism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder susceptibility among children from Northwest of Iran: a case-control study

Medical Journal of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences ◽

10.34172/mj.2021.052 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 43 (3) ◽

pp. 260-266

Author(s):

Nava Khalilinejad ◽

Leila Mehdizadeh Fanid ◽

Narges Zeinalzadeh ◽

Maedeh Alizadeh

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Receptor Gene ◽

Case Control ◽

Control Group ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Adhd Children ◽

Northwest Of Iran ◽

Control Study

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common and highly heritable psychiatric disorder among children which affects 3-7% of them all around the world. ADHD characterized by some symptoms such as extreme and inappropriate levels of motor activity, impulsivity and inattentiveness. Several studies have reported the association between dopaminergic pathway and ADHD. Dopamine D4 receptor gene and its variants is one of the major candidates that have been studied for ADHD. Here we investigated the genetic association between DRD4 rs1800955 polymorphism and ADHD among children from Northwest of Iran. Methods: This case-control study includes 200 ADHD children and 157 controls aged 6-12 years. ADHD children were diagnosed according to DSM-IV and Conners scale and were genotyped by PCR-Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique. Results: Frequencies of genotypes CC, TT and CT were 48 (24%), 15 (7.5%) and 137 (68.5%) in patient group and 50 (31.85% %), 7 (4.46%) and 100 (63.69 %) in control group respectively. According to results, there was no significant association between case and control groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that there is no significant association between DRD4 rs1800955 polymorphism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among children from Northwest of Iran.

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Efficacy of Teachers’ In‐Service Training for Increasing Their Knowledge of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Eastern Region, Saudi Arabia

International Journal of Learning Teaching and Educational Research ◽

10.26803/ijlter.19.12.16 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (12) ◽

pp. 295-312

Author(s):

Tareq Melhem

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Teaching Experience ◽

Training Programme ◽

Control Group ◽

Eastern Region ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Service Training ◽

Experimental Group

The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a training programme in increasing teachers’ knowledge of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia. The sample comprised 124 teachers from schools in the said region, and these teachers were divided into two groups: (1) experimental group with 62 teachers and (2) control group with 62 teachers. The quasi-experimental approach was employed for collecting data; the Cognitive Awareness Scale of ADHD (Melhem, 2020) was also employed. It consists of 37 items distributed into three domains, namely, general knowledge, characteristics and diagnosis and treatment. Results revealed that the effectiveness of the training programme in increasing teachers’ ADHD knowledge was in favour of the experimental group. Moreover, no statistically significant differences were observed in the increase of the levels of ADHD knowledge amongst the teachers in the experimental group due to the variable of teaching experience. That is, the levels of ADHD knowledge of teachers from the experimental group are the same according to their teaching experience. In sum, the training programme significantly increased the levels of ADHD knowledge of teachers from the experimental group. Moreover, educational institutions in Saudi Arabia should include ADHD training programmes in teacher-training curricula in Saudi Arabia.

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Comparison of Nutrients' Intakes in Children with and without Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Journal of Nutrition and Food Security ◽

10.18502/jnfs.v5i2.2799 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Elham Shareghfarid ◽

Zohreh Sadat Sangsefidi ◽

Mahdieh Hosseinzadeh ◽

Amin Salehi-Abargouei ◽

Mohammad Mohammadi

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Children ◽

Dietary Intakes ◽

Children With Adhd ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Adhd Children ◽

Calcium Magnesium ◽

Control Survey

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common chronic mental disorder among children. Children with ADHD may be at risk for a variety of nutrients' deficiencies. We aimed to assess the nutrients' intakes among ADHD children and compare them with the healthy ones. Methods: This was a hospital-based case-control survey over 120 ADHD as the cases and 240 non-ADHD children as the control participants aged 6-13 years. Usual dietary intakes were assessed using a validated semi quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The P-values were considered significant if they were < 0·05. Results: Energy: 2812.2 ± 1029.9 kcal/day vs. 3136.4 ± 1360.3 kcal/day, P = 0.001), fat: 78.3 ± 28.8 g/day vs. 87.2 ± 44.9 g/day, P > 0.001), and carbohydrate: 436.8 ± 192.6 g/day vs. 479.9 ± 244.2 g/day, P = 0.009) intakes were significantly lower in ADHD than healthy children. Similarly, consumption of calcium: 968.5 ± 358.3 mg/day vs. 1055.7 ± 453.4 mg/day, P = 0.03) and magnesium: 363.1 ± 173.9 mg/day vs. 411.9 ± 220.8 mg/day, P = 0.01) were significantly lower in the cases than control group. However, intakes of thiamin: 34.4±18.8 mg/day vs. 40.4 ± 25.6 mg/day, P = 0.002), riboflavin: 1.99 ± 0.76 mg/day vs. 2.21 ± 0.95 mg/day, P = 0.01), niacin: 24.9 ± 10.6 mg/day vs. 27.5 ± 13.2 mg/day, P = 0.01), and vitamin B5: 6.85 ± 3.35 mg/day vs. 7.49 ± 3.84 mg/day, P = 0.02) were significantly lower in the case than control group. Conclusion: Children with ADHD consumed significantly lower quantities of energy, macronutrients, calcium, magnesium, B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5), and vitamin C compared with the healthy children.

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Pregnancy-Related Maternal Risk Factors of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Case-Control Study

ISRN Pediatrics ◽

10.5402/2012/458064 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Shahrokh Amiri ◽

Ayyoub Malek ◽

Majid Sadegfard ◽

Salman Abdi

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Control Group ◽

Maternal Risk Factors ◽

Maternal Risk ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Adhd Children ◽

The Mean

Background. The etiology of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is complex.This study was conducted to evaluate the pregnancy-related maternal risk factors of ADHD. Methods. 164 ADHD children attending to Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics compared with 166 normal children selected in a random-cluster method from primary schools. ADHD rating scale and clinical interview based on Schedule for Affective disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Aged Children (K-SADS) were used to diagnose ADHD cases and to select the control group. Results. The mean maternal age at pregnancy, duration of pregnancy, and the mean paternal age were alike in two groups. The ADHD children’s mothers compared with those of control group had higher frequencies of somatic diseases, psychiatric disorders, and alcohol and cigarette exposure during the pregnancies (P<0.01). Also birth by cesarean section was more common among mothers of ADHD children (P<0.001). These factors plus trauma to the abdomen during pregnancy were significantly predictors of ADHD in children. Conclusions. Some pregnancy-related maternal factors may be considered as environmental risk factors for ADHD. Each of these factors considered in our study as a risk factor needs to be tested and confirmed through next methodologically appropriate researches in this field.

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