Controlled visuomotor preparation deficits in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

To the best of the authors' knowledge, there are no published reports on visuomotor preparation in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This is unfortunate, because research suggests that ADHD is an output-related deficit, and suboptimal execution of tasks may be the result of incomplete visuomotor preparation. The authors compared 19 children with ADHD with 124 healthy and 120 pathological controls in terms of their performance (speed, speed variability, and accuracy) on the finger precuing test, a test measuring (automatic and controlled) visuomotor preparation. The data implied that children with ADHD have an impaired ability to engage in effortful, controlled visuomotor preparation activities. Fast, automatic response preparation was not affected by ADHD. In addition, children with ADHD showed more variability in overall test performance than other children. No group differences were found in response accuracy.