Vigilance and sustained attention in children and adults with ADHD
- PMID: 18400983
- DOI: 10.1177/1087054708315065
Vigilance and sustained attention in children and adults with ADHD
Abstract
Objective: The present article tests the hypothesis of a sustained attention deficit in children and adults suffering from ADHD.
Method: Vigilance and sustained attention of 52 children with ADHD and 38 adults with ADHD were assessed using a computerized vigilance task. Furthermore, the attentional performance of healthy children (N = 52) and healthy adults (N = 38) was examined.
Results: Children and adults with ADHD performed significantly less well in the vigilance task than healthy participants (main effect for group). Furthermore, children and adults showed a significant decrease of performance over time (time-on-task effects). However, there was no greater decrement of performance with the passage of time in patient groups than in control groups (group-by-time interaction).
Conclusion: The present results do not support the hypothesis of a sustained attention deficit in children and adults with ADHD.
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