Heart Rate Variability and Sustained Attention in ADHD Children

Authors: Börger N.¹; van Der Meere J.¹; Ronner A.¹; Alberts E.¹; Geuze R.¹; Bogte H.²

Source: Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, Volume 27, Number 1, February 1999 , pp. 25-33(9)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

The major goal of the current study was to investigate the association between continuous performance tests (CPTs) and the heart rate variability (HRV) of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children. The HRV, specifically the 0.10-Hz component, may be considered to be a psychophysiological index of effort allocation (motivation): The less effort the subject allocates, the greater the 0.10-Hz component. Results indicated that, compared to controls, ADHD subjects had a greater 0.10-Hz component, which was associated with poor test performance over time. Thus, using a psychophysiological measure, we were able to confirm the clinical concept of ADHD from a motivational perspective.

Keywords: ADHD; sustained attention; heart rate variability

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Laboratory of Experimental Clinical Psychology, 9712 TS Groningen, The Netherlands 2: Universitair Centrum Groningen, Kinder en Jeugdpsychiatrie, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands

Publication date: 1999-02-01