Comparing the effects of providing clinicians and patients with the results of an objective measure of activity and attention (QbTest) versus usual care on diagnostic and treatment decision making in children and young people with ADHD
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN11727351 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN11727351 |
| Protocol serial number | 16812 |
| Sponsor | University of Nottingham |
| Funder | National Institute for Health Research |
- Submission date
- 04/07/2016
- Registration date
- 04/07/2016
- Last edited
- 18/08/2023
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder that affects behaviour. ADHD can present in a number of ways, but common symptoms include a short attention span, restlessness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. In recent years, the number of children recognised and treated for ADHD in the UK has increased dramatically, with spending on medication for ADHD increasing seven fold between 1998 and 2005. Despite this growing demand, clinical methods for the assessing and treating ADHD have hardly changed over the past 30 years. The best current method used to identify ADHD relies on lengthy clinical interviews and observations or questionnaires. However, in real-world NHS practice (i.e. outside research centres), it is generally not possible to apply this level of rigor to all referrals due to constraints on clinic resources and missing data. This study will assess whether providing clinicians and patients with the results of an objective test of activity and attention (QbTest) leads to earlier correct diagnosis of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Who can participate?
Children aged between 6-17 years who have been referred for ADHD assessment.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Both groups undergo routine tests for ADHD. This varies between different clinics and treating clinicians, however generally involves an interview with the parent and young person and the completion of a range of questionnaires. Whilst attending the clinic, the participant also completes the QbTest (15-20 minute computerised task in which the patients respond to different shapes on a screen as quickly and accurately as possible while their activity is recorded using infrared tracking). For participants in the first group, clinicians will have immediate access to the QbTest report to help them with their diagnostic decision making. For participants in the second group, clinicians and patients are not given access to their QbTest reports for six months. After six months, the number of clinic sessions needed until a confirmed diagnosis is achieved is recorded, as well as the time to diagnosis and length of clinic visits.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are no direct benefits or risks involved with participating in this study.
Where is the study run from?
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (lead trust) and eight other NHS trusts in England (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2014 December 2016
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Charlotte Hall
Contact information
Scientific
NIHR CLAHRC-EM
Institute of Mental Health
University of Nottingham Innovation Park
Triumph Road
Nottingham
NG7 2TU
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-5412-6165 |
|---|
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomized; Interventional; Design type: Treatment, Diagnosis, Psychological & Behavioural |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | A randomised controlled trial comparing the effects of providing clinicians and patients with the results of an objective measure of activity and attention (QbTest) versus usual care on diagnostic and treatment decision making in children and young people with ADHD |
| Study objectives | The aim of this study is to assess whether providing clinicians and patients with the results of an objective test of activity and attention (QbTest) leads to earlier correct diagnosis than standard care without the QbTest. |
| Ethics approval(s) | NRES Committee West Midlands – Coventry and Warwickshire, 11/06/2014, ref: 14/WM/0166 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Specialty: Mental Health, Primary sub-specialty: Learning disorders |
| Intervention | The study consists of two arms, QbOpen (QBO) whereby the patient and clinician have immediate access to the QbTest report which can be used to inform clinical decision making and QbBlind (QbB) whereby the patient and clinician do not have access to the QbTest report until 6 months after study initiation. After obtaining consent, participants are randomised on a 1:1 ratio into either the QbOpen (QbO) arm or QbBlind (QbB) arm of the trial. For participants randomised to QbO, clinicians will have immediate access to the QbTest report to inform their diagnostic decision making. For participants randomised to the QbB arm, clinicians and patients will not have access to their QbTest reports until 6 months after the baseline assessment. With the exception of withholding QbTest reports, the procedures are identical for the two arms. Intervention: Participants undergo their standard ADHD assessment as usual practice. This varies from clinic to clinic, and between cases and clinicians, however, it would typically involve an interview with the parent and young person and collection of questionnaires and outcome measures from the parent/young person and teacher. Whilst attending the clinic, the participant will be asked to complete QbTest at some point during their initial clinic visit. Parents are asked to complete the SNAP-IV regardless of their child’s age (Swanson et al., 1983) at baseline assessment. The SNAP-IV is a short 26-item questionnaire designed to assess ADHD symptoms, with established validity, reliability and use in clinical and research settings. The SNAP-IV is posted to the participant to complete before the child receives medication or offered the option to complete it online. Teachers are also be contacted by the researcher to complete the SNAP-IV. The parents are asked to complete the CSRI (Beecham & Knapp, 1992) at baseline assessment. The CSRI asks questions pertinent to economic factors that may alter as a result of the intervention. The questionnaire can be completed at clinic, via the phone, posted to the participant’s home address or completed online. Young people together with their parents will be asked to complete an EQ-5D-Y (Wille et al., 2010) The EQ-5D-Y is a short 15-item questionnaire which assesses health related quality of life. After the first appointment and before the young person starts medication the parent and teacher will be asked to complete the DAWBA (Goodman et al., 2000). The DAWBA is a well validated semi-structured diagnostic assessment interview for common child mental health problems, including ADHD, which includes the SDQ (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire; Goodman, 1997) as part of its initial screen. Patients who receive a diagnosis of ADHD and are allocated by clinicians to receive ADHD medication initiated within 3 months of their baseline assessment are asked to complete a 2nd QbTest (Qb2) 4-8 weeks after medication initiation. This timeframe was chosen to ensure that all participants can complete their second QbTest before the 6-month follow-up. At 4-8 weeks post medication initiation, parents and teachers are also be asked to complete the SNAP-IV (either at clinic where researcher is present, posted, telephone or online) and the parent/young person will be asked to complete a side-effects scale (Hill & Taylor, 2001). Patients who do not receive a diagnosis of ADHD or start medication within 3 months of baseline assessment will be asked to complete the SNAP-IV at 3 months.. ALL Parents are asked to complete the CSRI again at 3 months. ALL young people alongside their parents will also be asked to complete a EQ-5D-Y. At 6 months after baseline assessment, all participants will be asked to complete the following measures: Parents will be asked to complete a SNAP-IV and CSRI and SDQ (Goodman, 1997) to assess changes in symptoms and symptom impact. Teachers will be asked to complete a SNAP-IV and SDQ. Young people alongside their parents are asked to complete a EQ-5D-Y. We ask families to complete the EQ-5D-Y collaboratively (between the child and parent/carer). Participants are also be asked to complete a short questionnaire and/or take part in a short interview to gain their opinion on the acceptability/feasibility/utility of QbTest in routine NHS clinical practice. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Number of clinic sessions until a confirmed correct diagnosis is achieved is measured using an appointment pro-forma from baseline to 6 months. |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Time to diagnosis (in days) and the duration of visits (in minutes) are measured using an appointment pro-forma within 6-month time period |
| Completion date | 30/12/2016 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Child |
| Lower age limit | 6 Years |
| Upper age limit | 17 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 178 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Age 6-17 years (maximum 17 years at time of consent, may turn 18 during the study) 2. Referred for ADHD assessment 3. Capable of providing written informed consent (over 16) 4. Parental consent (under 16) |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Non-fluent in English 2. Suspected moderate or severe learning disability 3. Previous or current diagnosis of ADHD |
| Date of first enrolment | 08/08/2014 |
| Date of final enrolment | 15/12/2015 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centres
160 Porchester Road
Nottingham
NG3 6AA
United Kingdom
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9WL
United Kingdom
Windmill Road
Gillingham
ME7 5NY
United Kingdom
Towers Hospital
Gipsy Lane
Leicester
LE5 0TD
United Kingdom
101 Manthorpe Road
Grantham
LN2 4AX
United Kingdom
E Prescot Road
Liverpool
L14 5AB
United Kingdom
Petits Lane
Romford
RM1 4HP
United Kingdom
Derby Road
Nottingham
NG7 2UH
United Kingdom
Knightrider House
Worthing
BN13 3EP
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not expected to be made available |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 10/02/2017 | Yes | No | |
| Results article | 26/04/2018 | 18/08/2023 | Yes | No | |
| Protocol article | 01/12/2014 | 18/08/2023 | Yes | No | |
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No | ||
| Other publications | 10/02/2017 | 18/08/2023 | Yes | No | |
| Other publications | 19/06/2019 | 18/08/2023 | Yes | No | |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
| Study website | Study website | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
18/08/2023: Publication references added.
13/02/2017: Publication reference added.
