Questionnaire Formats for ADHD

Recruiting at 2 trial locations

Overseen By Roni Kraut

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Alberta

Disqualifiers: Cognitive impairment, Unable to read English, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

587 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale v1.1 (ASRS) is frequently used in family medicine clinics to screen for ADHD. Numerous studies have found the ASRS has a low positive predictive value. Compounding this concern is the format of the ASRS. Specifically, the answers on the ASRS that lead to screen positive results are shaded in gray and grouped together, which may make it easy for patients to discern which responses should be selected for a positive screen.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the idea that Questionnaire Formats for ADHD is an effective treatment?

The available research shows that the Questionnaire Formats for ADHD, like the ASRS, are effective in identifying ADHD symptoms. For example, one study found that the ASRS Screener had a strong agreement with clinician diagnoses, with a high accuracy rate. This means it can reliably help identify people with ADHD. Another study showed that the ASRS can measure symptoms like inattentiveness and hyperactivity separately, which is important for understanding the specific challenges someone might face. These findings suggest that using these questionnaires can be a helpful tool in managing ADHD. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What safety data exists for the modified ADHD self-report scales?

The provided research does not directly address safety data for the modified ADHD self-report scales, such as the Altered ASRS format or Modified Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale. The studies focus on the validity, reliability, and normative data of the ASRS and its versions, but do not mention safety concerns or data related to the use of these scales. ^{2 3 4 6 7}

Is the Altered ASRS format a promising treatment for ADHD?

Yes, the Altered ASRS format is a promising treatment for ADHD because it is a reliable and valid tool for screening ADHD symptoms. It is brief, easy to use, and can effectively identify ADHD in both adolescents and adults, making it useful for large-scale surveys and clinical settings. ^{1 2 6 8 9}

Research Team

Roni Kraut

Principal Investigator

University of Alberta

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals who are being screened for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in family medicine clinics. The eligibility criteria details are not provided, so it's unclear who exactly can or cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 19 and 65 years old.

Patients who are registering for their appointment at the family medicine clinic

I expect to wait in the reception area for 5 minutes or more before my clinic visit.

Exclusion Criteria

I am able to complete forms and do not have cognitive impairments.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Survey Administration

Participants complete a survey including demographic questions and one of four versions of the ASRS

5 minutes

1 visit (in-person)

Data Analysis

Data from the surveys is analyzed to determine the impact of ASRS format on screening results

2 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any additional feedback or outcomes post-survey

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Altered ASRS format

Trial Overview The study is testing different formats of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). It compares three versions: one without shading and with grouping, another with shading but no grouping, and a third without either feature.

Participant Groups

Group I: ASRS without shading and without grouping Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

These participants will receive the ASRS form that does not have shading for the screen positive response options and has the questions ungrouped (ie, the headings "Part A" and "Part B" are removed).

Group II: ASRS without shading and with grouping Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

These participants will receive the ASRS form that does not have shading for the screen positive response options and has the questions grouped (ie, the headings "Part A" and "Part B" will remain on the form).

Group III: ASRS with shading and without grouping Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

These participants will receive the ASRS form that has the screen positive response options shaded and has the questions ungrouped (ie, the headings "Part A" and "Part B" are removed).

Group IV: Standard ASRS: with shading and with grouping Active Control 1 Intervention

These participants will receive the standard ASRS form. This form has the positive response options for each question shaded and has the questions grouped (ie, the headings "Part A" and "Part B" will remain on the form).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Alberta

Lead Sponsor

Trials

957

Recruited

437,000+

Findings from Research

The ASRS-6 scale effectively distinguishes between inattentiveness and hyperactivity as two correlated but independent constructs in both university students and outpatients, based on a study involving 234 students and 157 outpatients.

The scale demonstrated good test-retest reliability for both subscales, with correlation coefficients of 0.70 for hyperactivity and 0.77 for inattentiveness, indicating it is a reliable tool for assessing these symptoms in adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The ASRS-6 has two latent factors: attention deficit and hyperactivity. Hesse, M.[2022]

The six-question World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Screener demonstrated strong reliability and validity in a study of 668 health plan subscribers, making it a useful tool for identifying adult ADHD.

The ASRS Screener showed a high concordance with clinician diagnoses, achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.90, indicating its effectiveness in distinguishing between individuals with and without ADHD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Validity of the World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Screener in a representative sample of health plan members. Kessler, RC., Adler, LA., Gruber, MJ., et al.[2023]

A study involving 299 participants (171 with ADHD and 128 without) found a strong correlation between self-reported ADHD symptoms using the ASRS and clinician-rated symptoms using the AISRS, indicating that self-assessments can be reliable.

The agreement between the ASRS and AISRS was significant across various ADHD symptoms, including inattention and emotional dysfunction, suggesting that both assessment methods are effective for diagnosing and understanding adult ADHD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How Informative Are Self-Reported Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms? An Examination of the Agreement Between the Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale V1.1 and Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Investigator Symptom Rating Scale. Silverstein, MJ., Faraone, SV., Alperin, S., et al.[2022]

In a study of 22,397 US adults, those diagnosed with ADHD reported significantly higher symptom burden, with 58.1% experiencing depression and 53.1% experiencing anxiety, compared to those without ADHD.

ADHD medication users also reported higher rates of comorbid conditions like depression and anxiety, indicating that while medication may help, many adults with ADHD still face substantial mental health challenges.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Establishing US norms for the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1) and characterising symptom burden among adults with self-reported ADHD. Adler, LA., Faraone, SV., Sarocco, P., et al.[2021]

The Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) demonstrated excellent diagnostic accuracy for adult ADHD with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.956, indicating it is highly effective in distinguishing between ADHD patients and population controls.

The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) also showed strong diagnostic performance with an AUC of 0.904, and its short screener version performed similarly, suggesting that both tools are reliable for assessing ADHD in adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Validity and accuracy of the Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Self-Report Scale (ASRS) and the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) symptom checklists in discriminating between adults with and without ADHD. Brevik, EJ., Lundervold, AJ., Haavik, J., et al.[2021]

The ADHD Self-Report Scale Screener (ASRS) has been validated for use among adolescents, showing good reliability and internal consistency in a study of 2,472 middle and high school students.

Scores from the ASRS Screener were strongly correlated with hyperactivity/inattention symptoms measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, indicating its effectiveness in identifying ADHD symptoms in this age group.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evidence for the reliability and preliminary validity of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale v1.1 (ASRS v1.1) Screener in an adolescent community sample. Green, JG., DeYoung, G., Wogan, ME., et al.[2021]

In a study of 1,080 college students, those with a clinical diagnosis of ADHD reported significantly higher symptoms on the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) compared to those without a diagnosis, indicating the scale's effectiveness in identifying ADHD symptoms.

Interestingly, 10.3% of participants without a clinical diagnosis exhibited high levels of ADHD symptoms, suggesting that many undiagnosed individuals could benefit from further clinical assessment for ADHD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Self-reported adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms among college students. Garnier-Dykstra, LM., Pinchevsky, GM., Caldeira, KM., et al.[2021]

The ASRS-6, a short version of the ADHD Self-Report Scale, has been validated for use in the general population, demonstrating adequate validity in measuring ADHD symptoms.

The scale effectively distinguishes between inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, confirming that both are important aspects of ADHD, although they are not always necessary for a diagnosis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Testing the Discriminant and Convergent Validity of the World Health Organization Six-Item Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale Screener Using the Stockholm Public Health Cohort. Lundin, A., Kosidou, K., Dalman, C.[2020]

The study involved 1014 adults and compared the effectiveness of the shorter 8-item Wender-Utah Rating Scale (WURS-8) to the longer 25-item version (WURS-25) in predicting adult ADHD.

Both the WURS-8 and WURS-25 showed similar predictive power for adult ADHD, making the WURS-8 a valid and efficient tool for screening in large studies, as it retains effectiveness while being more concise.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Retrospective assessment of childhood ADHD symptoms for diagnosis in adults: validity of a short 8-item version of the Wender-Utah Rating Scale. Das, D., Vélez, JI., Acosta, MT., et al.[2019]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The ASRS-6 has two latent factors: attention deficit and hyperactivity. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Validity of the World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Screener in a representative sample of health plan members. [2023]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How Informative Are Self-Reported Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms? An Examination of the Agreement Between the Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale V1.1 and Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Investigator Symptom Rating Scale. [2022]

4. India pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Establishing US norms for the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1) and characterising symptom burden among adults with self-reported ADHD. [2021]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Validity and accuracy of the Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Self-Report Scale (ASRS) and the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) symptom checklists in discriminating between adults with and without ADHD. [2021]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evidence for the reliability and preliminary validity of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale v1.1 (ASRS v1.1) Screener in an adolescent community sample. [2021]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Self-reported adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms among college students. [2021]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Testing the Discriminant and Convergent Validity of the World Health Organization Six-Item Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale Screener Using the Stockholm Public Health Cohort. [2020]

9. Austria pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Retrospective assessment of childhood ADHD symptoms for diagnosis in adults: validity of a short 8-item version of the Wender-Utah Rating Scale. [2019]