The Auditory Continuous Performance Test as part of an ADHD test battery

Abstract

The Auditory Continuous Performance Test (ACPT) is used in the diagnosis of Attention Déficit Hyperactivity disorder. In this auditory vigilance task, omission errors and commission errors are tallied and combined into a Total Error Score. Some believe that errors of omission are indicative of inattention and commission errors of hyperactivity or impulsivity. This study attempted to determine if errors of omission and commission are measures of inattention and hyperactivity – impulsivity, respectively. Forty-five children with ADHD were given a test battery that included the ACPT. Two of the three ADHD subtypes were represented ( ADHD, predominantly inattentive type and ADHD, combined type). Numbers of both types of errors were examined, as was Total Error Score to detect if differences existed between the two subtypes. Differences did not exist, suggesting that omission errors are indicative of inattention, but commission errors do not necessarily suggest the presence of hyperactivity or impulsivity. Finally, the initial validity research done by Keith (1994) was compared with results of this study and was supported.