Visuospatial working memory assessment using a digital tablet in adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder often linked to impaired visuospatial working memory (VSWM).
• Limited research exists on VSWM in adolescents with ADHD using standardized neuropsychological tests.
• The Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test (ROCF) is a common tool for assessing VSWM in ADHD populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate VSWM in adolescents with ADHD using a digital version of the ROCF.
• To investigate the utility of a novel Gaussian filter method on a digital tablet for ROCF assessment.
• To compare VSWM performance between adolescents with ADHD and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Thirty adolescents diagnosed with ADHD and 30 healthy controls participated.
• Participants completed the ROCF on a digital Galaxy tablet using a wireless pen.
• Standard neuropsychological assessments including K-WISC-IV and ADHD rating scales were administered.

Main Results:

• Adolescents with ADHD exhibited significant differences in ROCF copy and delayed recall R-values compared to controls.
• No significant differences in immediate recall R-values were observed between groups.
• R-values for copy and delayed recall correlated with visuospatial and working memory indices, and ADHD rating scales.

Conclusions:

• Digital ROCF performance differs between adolescents with ADHD and healthy adolescents.
• The digital ROCF, utilizing a Gaussian filter method, can effectively identify distinct VSWM patterns in ADHD.
• This digital assessment offers a novel approach to evaluating VSWM in ADHD.