Is the QbMini a Valid Instrument for ADHD Assessment?

Journal of Attention Disorders, vol. 25, pp. 1384–1394

Abstract

Objective: Few neuropsychological measurement tools of attention can assess preschoolers despite adequate instruments’ potential to facilitate early diagnostic processes, which are currently demanding. This study’s objective was to evaluate the QbMini, an attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) measurement tool for preschoolers. Method: QbMini performances of 37 5-year-old ADHD patients, 55 healthy controls, and 26 children with specific language impairment (SLI) were compared using univariate analyses of variance. The test’s predictive power was evaluated using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analyses and compared to a parental rating scale. Finally, the scales were compared by correlating their respective scores. Results: The QbMini measures ADHD symptoms and reliably differentiates between healthy children and patients, but not between children with ADHD and children with SLI. Conclusion: The QbMini can indicate presence and strength of ADHD symptoms, but fails to diagnose ADHD. It measures symptoms in a different way than parental ratings and might be stronger in distinguishing between hyperactivity and inattention.

Authors 4

1. Salsabil Hamadache corresponding

   Ruhr University Bochum

   Affiliation as printed

   Ruhr University Bochum, Germany

2. Kathrin Hoberg Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University, Germany

3. Sara Zaplana Labarga

   University of Cologne

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Cologne, Germany

4. Thomas Günther Pomorski Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University · Zuyd University of Applied Sciences

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University, Germany

   Zuyd University, Heerlen, The Netherlands