Central Executive Training for ADHD

Evaluating the Feasibility of Central Executive Training for Children With ADHD

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.

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