Jitter Reduces Response-Time Variability in ADHD
Year: 2012
Type: article
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: "Jitter" involves randomization of intervals between stimulus events. Compared with controls, individuals with ADHD demonstrate greater intrasubject variability (ISV) performing tasks with fixed interstimulus intervals (ISIs). Because Gaussian curves mask the effect of extremely slow or fast response times (RTs), ex-Gaussian approaches have been applied to study ISV. METHOD: This study applied ex-Gaussian analysis to examine the effects of jitter on RT variability in children with and without ADHD. A total of 75 children, aged 9 to 14 years (44 ADHD, 31 controls), completed a go/no-go test with two conditions: fixed ISI and jittered ISI. RESULTS: ADHD children showed greater variability, driven by elevations in exponential (tau), but not normal (sigma) components of the RT distribution. Jitter decreased tau in ADHD to levels not statistically different than controls, reducing lapses in performance characteristic of impaired response control. CONCLUSION: Jitter may provide a nonpharmacologic mechanism to facilitate readiness to respond and reduce lapses from sustained (controlled) performance.
Source: Journal of Attention Disorders
Institutions: Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (UL1), Adolescent Changes in Brain and Behavior in Boys and Girls with ADHD, Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers 2008, 2/2 - Anomalous Motor System Physiology in ADHD: Biomarker Validation and Modeling Domains of Function, Reading Disability in Grades 3 - 8: Neurocognitive Fact*
OpenAlex ID: W2100928348