title: [The utility of a continuous performance test embedded in virtual reality in measuring the effectiveness of MPH treatment in boys with ADHD].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Continuous performance tasks (CPT) are popular in the diagnostic process of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), providing an objective measure of attention for a disorder with otherwise subjective criteria.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to: 1) examine whether the VR-CPT is sensitive to methylphenidate (MPH); 2) assess how the virtual reality (VR) environment is experienced.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty boys, 9-17 years, with ADHD underwent 3 CPTs: VR-CPT, the same CPT without VR (no VR-CPT) and the Test of Variables of Attention (T.O.V.A.). Subsequently, those with ADHD repeated the tests 1 hour following MPH ingestion. Immediately following the CPT, the subjects described their subjective experiences on the Short Feedback Questionnaire. Results were analyzed using ANOVA with repeated measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MPH reduced the omission and commission errors on all tests to a similar degree. Subjective feelings of enjoyment were most positive for VR-CPT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The VR-CPT is a sensitive and user-friendly assessment tool for evaluating the effectiveness of MPH treatment in boys with ADHD.
authors.affiliation: Neuropediatric Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. shrikili@gmail.com
authors.forename: Liron
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shriki
authors.forename: Merav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weizer
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pollak
authors.forename: Patricia L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Albert A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.forename: Varda
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gross-Tsur
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011936:Reality Testing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate