Measuring Cardinal Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults : Examining objective measures of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention

Abstract: The purpose of this licentiate thesis is to examine measures of ADHD in adult persons. An instrument that reports objective measures of cardinal symptoms of ADHD in adult persons is used for this purpose. The instrument is called the Quantified Behavior Test Plus and records motor activity by means of an infrared motion tracking system and cognitive deficits with a continuous performance test. Paper I investigates sensitivity and specificity for the test with regard to ADHD in a clinic-referred sample. When the test was compared to clinical assessments, results yielded 83 % sensitivity and 57 % specificity. The high level of comorbid psychiatric disorders motivates continuous search for a composite measure of ADHD cardinal symptoms and better understanding of normative behavior in healthy participants. In Paper II, a composite measure of ADHD called the Weighed Core Symptom scale (WCS) is developed. WCS integrates measures of ADHD cardinal symptoms on a ten point scale. A majority of participants with ADHD has low points on the scale (indicating high levels of symptoms) and a majority of healthy normative participants has high points on the scale (indicating low levels of symptoms). Levels of sensitivity and specificity for the test were examined with a measure called Prediction of ADHD (PADHD), and results yielded 86 % sensitivity and 83 % specificity. The measures developed in Paper II are tentative and needs to be tested in further studies in order to better understand behavior manifestations of ADHD in adult persons.