QbTest for the assessment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

The technology described in this briefing is QbTest. It is used to help assess attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and to evaluate different treatments for people with ADHD when combined with the standard care clinician assessment.

The innovative aspects are that it combines a continuous performance test with an objective and standardised measure of motor (physical) activity. The innovation of this technology is its objectivity compared with potentially subjective neurodevelopmental assessments.

The intended place in therapy would be for people who have been referred for an ADHD assessment. It would be used with the assessments that make up standard care and cannot be used as a separate, independent diagnostic assessment for ADHD. QbTest is also indicated for use as an aid in evaluating treatment effect for ADHD.

The main points from the evidence summarised in this briefing are from 8 studies (1 randomised controlled trial, 2 objective measure studies, 1 qualitative study of user experience, 1 audit, 1 diagnostic study, 1 national evaluation report and 1 real-world demonstrator project). Studies showed that using QbTest helped with clinical decision making and a more efficient diagnosis, and required fewer consultations.

Key uncertainties around the technology are that studies using QbTest included potentially inappropriate populations and did not use a parallel clinical assessment when diagnosing ADHD.

Experts advised recognising the technology as an addition to routine clinical assessment of ADHD and not as a standalone assessment. All the experts explained that the potential benefits were quicker assessment, and cost savings because of clinician time saving and efficiency of the pathway.

The cost of QbTest is £23 to £96 per assessment (excluding VAT). There is some evidence of cost reduction as well as return on investment.