Studies of Measures of Attention
Condition: Attention Deficit Disorder; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
MeSH terms: Hyperkinesis; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      This study will compare two tests for attention deficit disorder (ADD) - the Test of
      Variables of Attention (TOVA) and the NIH Test of Attention - to see if they produce the same
      results. There are a number of problems with existing tests for ADD. For example, TOVA, the
      most commonly used test, operates only on older computers and has other problems as well.
      Because of these problems, NIDCD developed the new NIH Test of Attention. This study will
      determine if the new test is valid for ADD and how the performance on this test compares to
      the performance on the TOVA in the general population.

      Healthy volunteers between 6 and 60 years of age who have no problems with sight or hearing
      and are not taking medication for ADD may be eligible for this study.

      After a brief interview, participants take the first of the two study tests. On a second
      visit, they take the other of the two tests. Both tests ask the subject to respond to things
      they hear and see on a computer screen. Each test takes 30 to 45 minutes to complete. Some
      participants are asked to take the NIH Test of Attention a second time, on a third visit.
      Participants also take a 15- to 20-minute subtest of the Weschler Intelligence Test.
    

Detailed description: 
      Characterization of a new test of attention

      Objective - The objective of this protocol is to provide normative data for population
      performance on the NIH Test of Attention, and to compare performance on this test with
      subjects' performance on the traditional Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA). The NIH Test
      of Attention has been developed to provide a modernized test that can be made available to
      researchers, clinicians, and educators free of charge.

      Study population - A screened medically normal population sample containing adults and
      children of both sexes and all ethnicities without frank mental or sensory disabilities

      Design - Subjects will be enrolled by outreach designed to gather a random population sample.
      Subjects will take the NIH Test of Attention at one testing session and the TOVA at another
      session. The population distribution of scores on the NIH Test of Attention will be
      ascertained, the standard descriptive statistics will be calculated, and the correlation of
      NIH Test of Attention scores with the TOVA scores in each subject will be measured. No
      individual identifying information will be gathered, and no test results will be provided
      back to subjects.

      Outcome measures - The outcome will be measured by statistical tests for significant
      differences from the null hypothesis, which is that there is a difference in subject
      performance on the TOVA compared to the NIH Test of Attention. Mean, median, variance, and
      standard deviation of test scores will be calculated. Score distribution and Intra-class
      correlations will be quantified. Correlation of scores on the NIH Test of Attention with TOVA
      scores will be determined using Pearson's r.
    

Time perspective: Prospective
Keywords: Attention Deficit Disorder; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Computer Aided Learning; Attention Deficits; Healthy Volunteer; HV