Effect of School Closure During COVID-19 Lockdown on ADHD Symptoms Among Students

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobehavioral disorder among children, with an estimated prevalence of 1.3 per 1000 in India. The nationwide lockdown imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the closure of schools for an indefinite period. After the reopening of schools, the lockdown period was feared to have caused a deterioration in symptoms of existing mental health conditions among school-going children. This field study aimed to probe the association of school closures due to lockdown with any change in symptoms of ADHD in aged 6-15 years in the largest tertiary care hospital in Kolkata.

A longitudinal observational study was conducted involving 34 prediagnosed ADHD patients attending the Clinical Psychology outpatient department (OPD) of a tertiary hospital for follow-up. Data was collected by face-to-face interviews with the patients' parents using a predesigned, pretested structured study schedule. Conners' Parent Rating Scale (CPRS) was used to assess the ADHD symptoms.

Twenty-three (67.65%) patients were observed to have worsened ADHD symptoms after lockdown. Significant worsening was observed in the ADHD indicator and the mood disorder indicator. Significant contributing factors were rural residence, nuclear family, non-attendance at school, and knowledge inadequacy among parents.

There was a significant worsening of symptoms of ADHD owing to the school closure due to the lockdown.