Does interference of dual-tasks differ between children with ADHD and controls and what is the impact of attention?
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Everyday life demands handling multiple tasks that need attention simultaneously, which may be challenging for children with ADHD. In this study we tested dual-tasks in a cognitive-motor and motor-motor condition in children with and without ADHD. Sixty-six children (42 children with ADHD; 24 typically developing) participated and were tested on a primary Wii Fit balance task, and two secondary tasks: a cognitive task (counting specific sounds) and a motor task (crossing fingers (CF)), performed in single-task and dual-task conditions. In addition, attentional and motor abilities were measured independently. Children with ADHD presented poorer motor performance (Wii-Fit game, finger crossings) in the single task with large effect sizes, but performed equally on cognitive performance compared with their peers. Dual-task interference was not present in the primary Wii-Fit scores, but clearly and similarly present in the cognitive and CF tasks in both groups. The impact of divided attention on Wii Fit dual-task performance was 6-11%, and on dual-task CF performance 28.8% when combined with motor abilities. Children with ADHD are disproportionately impaired in dual-task situations where they must perform two motor tasks, but not when they perform a motor and a cognitive task.
Institutions: University of Groningen, North-West University
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4416731607