Timing and force control in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: subtype differences and the effect of comorbid developmental coordination disorder.

Full Abstract

This study examined the motor and performance outcomes of boys with subtypes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (DSM-IV, [American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th ed., Washington, DC, 1994]). It also examined the differences between boys with a single diagnosis of ADHD versus those who have the dual categorisation of ADHD and developmental coordination disorder (DCD). The participants were 157 boys, aged 7.70-12.98 years recruited from a community sample. Parent report was used to classify 143 boys into either a comparison group or one of the three DSM-IV ADHD subtypes. Participants were given a battery of tests that included the Movement Assessment Battery for Children [Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Psychological Corporation/Harcourt Brace-Jovanovich, New York, 1992], the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children--Third Edition [Manual for the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Psychological Corporation, New York, 1992] and a finger tapping task targeting motor processing, preparation, and execution. Boys with subtypes that included inattentive symptomatology had significant difficulties with timing, force output and showed greater variability in motor outcomes. Boys with the comorbid condition (i.e., ADHD and DCD) had particular difficulty with force control. These outcomes identify a need for increased recognition of the clinical and research implications of the relationship between ADHD and motor dysfunction. This potentially impacts on assessment, intervention, theoretical modelling and the general interpretation of cognitive abilities research with children with ADHD.Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science B.V.

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Author information

Author/s: Pitcher, Thelma M (TM); Piek, Jan P (JP); Barrett, Nicholas C (NC);

Affiliation: Research Centre for Applied Psychology, School of Psychology, Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box U1987, Perth 6845, Australia.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Human movement science (Hum Mov Sci), published in Netherlands. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Dec; vol 21 (issue 5-6) : pp 919-45

Dates: Created 2003/03/06; Completed 2003/04/30; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12620726, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Attention
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - diagnosis; psychology
Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders - diagnosis; psychology
Child
Humans
Isometric Contraction
Male

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