Quantifying ADHD Symptoms in Open-Ended Everyday Life Contexts With a New Virtual Reality Task

Overview

Journal J Atten Disord

Publisher Sage Publications

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2021 Dec 6

PMID 34865551

Citations 15

Authors

Erik Seesjarvi

Jasmin Puhakka

Eeva T Aronen

Jari Lipsanen

Minna Mannerkoski

Alexandra Hering

Sascha Zuber

Matthias Kliegel

Matti Laine

Juha Salmi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: To quantify goal-directed behavior and ADHD symptoms in naturalistic conditions, we developed a virtual reality task, EPELI (Executive Performance in Everyday LIving), and tested its predictive, discriminant and concurrent validity.

Method: We collected EPELI data, conventional neuropsychological task data, and parent-ratings of executive problems and symptoms in 38 ADHD children and 38 typically developing controls.

Results: EPELI showed predictive validity as the ADHD group exhibited higher percentage of irrelevant actions reflecting lower attentional-executive efficacy and more controller movements and total game actions, both indicative of hyperactivity-impulsivity. Further, the five combined EPELI measures showed excellent discriminant validity (area under curve 88 %), while the correlations of the EPELI efficacy measure with parent-rated executive problems ( = .57) and ADHD symptoms ( = .55) pointed to its concurrent validity.

Conclusion: We provide a proof-of-concept validation for a new virtual reality tool for ecologically valid assessment of ADHD symptoms.

Citing Articles

Current virtual reality-based rehabilitation interventions in neuro-developmental disorders at developmental ages.

Capobianco M, Puzzo C, Di Matteo C, Costa A, Adriani W Front Behav Neurosci. 2025; 18:1441615.

PMID: 39882439 PMC: 11775633. DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1441615.

A Study of the Effects of Virtual Reality-Based Sports Games on Improving Executive and Cognitive Functions in Minors with ADHD-A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Zhang W, Li H, Sheng Y Behav Sci (Basel). 2025; 14(12.

PMID: 39767283 PMC: 11673233. DOI: 10.3390/bs14121141.

Concurrent Validity of Virtual Reality-Based Assessment of Executive Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Lee S, Kim J, Park J J Intell. 2024; 12(11).

PMID: 39590635 PMC: 11595626. DOI: 10.3390/jintelligence12110108.

Fluctuations of Attention During Self-paced Naturalistic Goal-Directed Behavior in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Salmi J, Merzon L, Eraste T, Seesjarvi E, Huhdanpaa H, Aronen E JAACAP Open. 2024; 2(3):188-198.

PMID: 39552815 PMC: 11562430. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaacop.2023.12.002.

Digital assessments for children and adolescents with ADHD: a scoping review.

Cibrian F, Monteiro E, Lakes K Front Digit Health. 2024; 6:1440701.

PMID: 39439849 PMC: 11493775. DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2024.1440701.

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