Do children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have set shifting deficits?

Objective: Set shifting, or cognitive flexibility, is a core executive function involving the ability to quickly and efficiently shift back and forth between mental sets. Meta-analysis suggests medium-magnitude shifting impairments in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, this conclusion may be premature because the evidence-base relies exclusively on tasks that have been criticized for poor construct validity and may better reflect general neuropsychological functioning rather than shifting specifically. Method: A well-characterized sample of 77 children ages 8–13 (M = 10.46, SD = 1.54; 32 girls; 66% Caucasian/non-Hispanic) with ADHD (n = 43) and without ADHD (n = 34) completed the criterion global-local set shifting task and 2 counterbalanced control tasks that were identical in all aspects except the key processes. Results: The experimental manipulation was successful at evoking set shifting demands during the global-local versus both nonshift control tasks (p
Source: Neuropsychology - Category: Neurology Source Type: research