Assessing internal attention deficits in children with ADHD

Evaluation of Sustained Endogenous Attention Deficits in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Validation of a Computerized Neuropsychological Test."

Not applicable Interventional IRCCS Eugenio Medea · NCT06900400

This study is testing a finger tapping test to see if it can help tell the difference in attention skills between children with ADHD and those without.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages6 Years to 13 Years
SexAll
SponsorIRCCS Eugenio Medea Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Brindisi and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06900400 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical study aims to evaluate internal sustained attention deficits in children diagnosed with ADHD using the 'Sustained-Paced Finger Tapping' test. The study will compare performance between children with ADHD and typically developing children to assess the validity of this test in distinguishing between the two groups. The ADHD diagnosis will be confirmed through a combination of interviews, medical history, and observational data. The research seeks to fill a gap in understanding how ADHD affects internal attention, which has been less explored compared to external attention deficits.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include children diagnosed with ADHD who are medication-naive and have an IQ of 70 or higher.

Not a fit: Patients with comorbid conditions such as autism spectrum disorders, mood disorders, or those on psychotropic medications may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved diagnostic tools for identifying attention deficits in children with ADHD.

How similar studies have performed: While studies have shown ADHD is linked to external attention deficits, this approach to internal attention is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* ADHD Group (1) Subjects with a diagnosis of ADHD of any severity level and subtype
* ADHD Group (2) "Medication-naive" ADHD subjects, meaning subjects who have not been prescribed and/or have not yet started any pharmacological treatment for ADHD
* ADHD Group (3) IQ ≥ 70
* Non-ADHD Group, Normal IQ

Exclusion Criteria:

* for both groups, symptomatology suggestive of autism spectrum disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders
* for both groups, use of psychotropic drugs
* for both groups, subjects with cerebral palsy and/or neuromotor and neuromuscular disorders
* for both groups, CNS diseases, e.g., epilepsy and/or neurodegenerative diseases, or central nervous system injuries resulting from, for example, head trauma or stroke
* for the non-ADHD group, presence of ADHD symptoms

Where this trial is running

Brindisi and 1 other locations

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions ADHD - Attention Deficit Disorder With HyperactivityCase controldiagnosticADHD
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.