Continuous performance task in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder children

Background Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common paediatric neurodevelopmental disorder with substantial effect on families and society. Alternatives to traditional care, including novel digital therapeutics, have shown promise to remediate cognitive deficits associated with this disorder and may address barriers to standard therapies, such as pharmacological interventions and behavioural therapy. AKL-T01 is an investigational digital therapeutic designed to target attention and cognitive control delivered through a video game-like interface via at-home play for 25 min per day, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. This study aimed to assess whether AKL-T01 improved attentional performance in paediatric patients with ADHD. MethodsThe Software Treatment for Actively Reducing Severity of ADHD (STARS-ADHD) was a randomised, doubleblind, parallel-group, controlled trial of paediatric patients (aged 8-12 years, without disorder-related medications) with confirmed ADHD and Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) Attention Performance Index (API) scores of −1•8 and below done by 20 research institutions in the USA. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to AKL-T01 or a digital control intervention. The primary outcome was mean change in TOVA API from pre-intervention to post-intervention. Safety, tolerability, and compliance were also assessed. Analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02674633 and is completed.

show abstract

Real-time cognitive performance metrics derived from a digital therapeutic for inattention predict ADHD-related clinical outcomes: Replication across three independent trials of AKL-T01

Stamatis,

Heusser,

Simon

et al. 2024

Transl Psychiatry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

AKL-T01 is a digital therapeutic (DTx) that targets attention by generating conflict at dynamically updated difficulty levels during a multitasking game. Clinical trials support AKL-T01’s efficacy in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but there is a need to understand how in-game data can be used to monitor patient changes in cognition. We aimed to derive a real-time measure of attention from AKL-T01 gameplay data and validate it against clinical outcomes. Trials of AKL-T01 included: STARS-ADHD-Adult (NCT05183919), a 6-week trial in adults 18 and older ( n = 221; M age = 39.9; 70% female); STARS-ADHD-Adolescent (NCT04897074), a 4-week trial in adolescents ages 13–17 ( n = 162; M age = 14.4; 41% female); and STARS-ADHD (NCT02674633), a 4-week trial in children ages 8–12 ( n = 180; M age = 9.7; 31% female). A cognitive metric was derived from targeting response speed, targeting sensitivity (d-prime), and navigation skill level. Using multiple linear regression models, we analyzed relationships between cognitive metric change and changes in the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA)-Attention Comparison Score (ACS), controlling for TOVA-ACS baseline, cognitive metric baseline, age, and sex. We explored associations with ADHD symptoms and quality of life. Increases in the cognitive metric significantly predicted increases in TOVA-ACS in the adult ( β = 0.16, p < 0.001), adolescent ( β = .09, p = 0.007), and pediatric ( β = 0.06, p = 0.014) trials. Cognitive metric changes additionally related to self-reported quality of life in adults and clinician-rated ADHD symptoms in adolescents. Findings support the clinical validity of a real-time measure of attention derived from AKL-T01 patient-device interactions.

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

customersupport@researchsolutions.com

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Continuous performance task in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder children

Cited by 3 publications

References 3 publications

Effects of game-based digital therapeutics on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents as assessed by parents or teachers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Effects of game-based digital therapeutics on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents as assessed by parents or teachers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

A novel digital intervention for actively reducing severity of paediatric ADHD (STARS-ADHD): a randomised controlled trial

Real-time cognitive performance metrics derived from a digital therapeutic for inattention predict ADHD-related clinical outcomes: Replication across three independent trials of AKL-T01

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About