The Quotient™ ADHD System Test begins with the patient performing a demanding yet monotonous series of tasks while sitting comfortably in front of the Quotient™ ADHD System kiosk. The patient’s responses to these tasks enable the precise assessment of the patient’s ability to maintain focus, inhibit impulses and control physical activity in a controlled and reproducible setting.
Measuring Hyperactivity
People with ADHD are unable to truly sit still. They make many more position changes and have a much greater total displacement than non-ADHD patients in similar environments. The tracking and analysis of movements is an important feature of the Quotient™ ADHD System that sets it apart from other diagnostic tools for ADHD. Research indicates that measurements of motion or hyperactivity may be one of the most critical indicators of the presence of ADHD.
Small spherical reflectors are placed on the forehead (and legs if over 12 years old) of the patient. During the Quotient™ ADHD System Test, an infrared Motion Tracking System (MTS) precisely records the movement of the reflectors, capturing movements and patterns as small as 0.4 mm, and recording movements 50 times each second.
Measuring Inattention and Impulsivity
Scientific research indicates that while it is normal to experience shifts in attention, people with ADHD demonstrate more frequent shifts in attention states and therefore exhibit greater levels of impulsivity, distraction, and randomness with higher levels of task error. The Quotient™ ADHD System captures whether the patient was On-Task, Impulsive, Distracted, Random, Minimal or Contrary during each of the 30-second segments within the 15 to 20-minute test period and reports the patient’s fluctuations in attention states over the duration of the test.
During the Quotient™ ADHD System Test period, a script flashes different geometric shapes at random positions on a monitor within the Quotient™ ADHD System kiosk. The patient’s assigned task is to identify the shapes as targets or non-targets, and respond as quickly and as accurately as possible to only targets. Patient’s responses to the stimuli are precisely captured to objectively measure omission and commission errors, latency, and other performance levels of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Although such a challenge test may appear simple, the task requires the patient to call on their ability to maintain attention and control hyperactivity and impulsivity, much in the same way one must respond in a classroom or workplace environment.
Reliable Data – The Patient Report