Frontiers in Neuroscience (Dec 2023)

Attention deficit in primary-school-age children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder measured with the attention network test: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • Łucja Bieleninik,
  • Łucja Bieleninik,
  • Łucja Bieleninik,
  • Gabriela Gradys,
  • Gabriela Gradys,
  • Angel M. Dzhambov,
  • Angel M. Dzhambov,
  • Angel M. Dzhambov,
  • Angel M. Dzhambov,
  • Tamara Walczak-Kozłowska,
  • Kornelia Lipowska,
  • Ariadna Łada-Maśko,
  • Katarzyna Sitnik-Warchulska,
  • Paulina Anikiej-Wiczenbach,
  • Michał Harciarek,
  • Małgorzata Lipowska,
  • Małgorzata Lipowska

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1246490
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17

Abstract

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ObjectiveTo review and meta-analyze patterns of attention deficit in primary-school-age children with ADHD measured with the neuropsychological attention network test (ANT).MethodsSix electronic databases were searched to 5.05.2022. Selection criteria included prospective cohort and intervention studies; ANT used; primary-school-age; diagnosis of ADHD/at high risk.ResultsSeven studies met inclusion criteria (N = 3,826). Compared with controls, children with ADHD had higher scores for Reaction Time (Hedges’ g = 0.433; 95% CI: 0.135–0.731), Reaction Time Variability (Hedges’ g = 0.334; 95% CI: 0.012–0.657), and Alerting Network (Hedges’ g = 0.235; 95% CI: 0.021–0.449) while children at high risk had higher Alerting Network scores (Hedges’ g = 0.176; 95% CI: 0.003–0.349) and Correctness scores (Hedges’ g = 1.956; 95% CI: 0.020–3.892).ConclusionsChildren with ADHD and at risk of ADHD had different ANT results from children without ADHD only for the alerting network. There were no significant differences for executive and orienting outcomes. Children at risk of ADHD also made more errors (commission and omission) measured with the ANT compared with children without ADHD. Reaction time was longer and reaction time variability higher in children with ADHD than in children without ADHD, and in children at risk of ADHD compared with children without ADHD.PreregistrationA protocol has been registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) database (registration number: CRD42021249768).

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