Central Executive Training for ADHD (CET)

Feasibility study of Central Executive Training (CET) for ADHD. The goal of the current project is to develop and assess the feasibility, acceptability, engagement, and usability of a novel, central executive (CE) working memory training intervention.

The goal of the core study is to develop a central executive training (CET) intervention for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and examine its feasibility, acceptability, engagement, and usability. This will involve early developmental work on software and treatment manuals followed by evaluation of the feasibility of enrolling, retaining, and treating ADHD children with CET. An evidence-informed intervention targeting central executive functioning in children with ADHD has the potential to result in clinically significant improvements in ADHD symptoms relative to extant behavioral treatments and capacity-based (short-term memory) training interventions. The long-term goal is to develop an efficacious and acceptable CET intervention with the potential for generalized improvements in, or normalization of, ADHD-related impairments in peer, family, and academic functioning.

Approximately 10 minute task administered during a 3 hour post-treatment testing session occurring within 2 weeks of last intervention session

Parent questionnaire requiring approximately 15 minutes to complete, administered to parent while child is completing the 3 hour post-treatment testing session occurring within 2 weeks of last intervention session

Approximately 15 minute task administered during a 3 hour follow-up testing session occurring 2-4 months after last intervention session (variable time frame to account for school breaks)

Approximately 15 minute task administered during a 3 hour follow-up testing session occurring 2-4 months after last intervention session (variable time frame to account for school breaks)

Teacher questionnaire requiring approximately 15 minutes to complete, mailed to teacher within 2 weeks of child's last intervention session

Stop-signal and go/no-go scores will be combined via weighted average (factor score). Divergent validity (expected to improve more in comparison condition than experimental condition).

Approximately 10 minute task administered during a 3 hour post-treatment testing session occurring within 2 weeks of last intervention session

Approximately 15 minute task administered during a 3 hour follow-up testing session occurring 2-4 months after last intervention session (variable time frame to account for school breaks)

Approximately 15 minute task administered during a 3 hour follow-up testing session occurring 2-4 months after last intervention session (variable time frame to account for school breaks)

Approximately 15 minute task administered during a 3 hour follow-up testing session occurring 2-4 months after last intervention session (variable time frame to account for school breaks)

Approximately 15 minute task administered during a 3 hour follow-up testing session occurring 2-4 months after last intervention session (variable time frame to account for school breaks)

Inclusion Criteria: Children ages 8-12 with principal ADHD diagnoses (via K-SADS) parent Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC) Attention Problems or Hyperactivity subscale or ADHD-5 in clinical/borderline range based on age and gender teacher BASC Attention Problems or Hyperactivity subscale or ADHD-5 scale in clinical/borderline range based on age and gender. Exclusion Criteria: gross neurological, sensory, or motor impairment, history of a seizure disorder, or psychosis, bipolar disorders, substance use, or intellectual disability disorders non-English speaking child or parent