Intraindividual variability in executive and motor control tasks in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ABSTRACT

Objective

Emerging evidence highlights intraindividual variability (IIV) during executive function (EF) tasks as a reliable endophenotype of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and as contributing to motor dysregulation and hyperactive-impulsive behaviors. This study examined the relationship between EF and motor control in children with and without ADHD.

Method

Ninety-seven children (6–13 years) completed standardized and experimental tasks of executive and motor control. Primary caregivers completed a semi-structured interview, and behavioral rating forms for ADHD symptoms and EF.

Results

Children with ADHD demonstrated lower performance on motor dexterity and sequencing tasks, and greater IIV during EF tasks with lower cognitive demand. IIV accounted for ADHD symptoms of hyperactivity, beyond age and motor dexterity. IIV from EF measures with lower cognitive demand was also sensitive to ADHD symptoms.

Conclusion

IIV metrics may tap into the motor regulation challenges associated with ADHD, as well as attentional lapsing at lower levels of cognitive demand.

KEYWORDS:

• Executive function
• ADHD
• intra-individual variability
• childhood
• motor function

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) [Canada Graduate Scholarship].