INTERSTAARS: Attention training for infants with elevated likelihood of developing ADHD: A proof-of-concept randomised controlled trial
Article
Goodwin, A., Jones, E. J. H., Salomone, S., Mason, L., Holman, R., Begum-Ali, J., Hunt, A., Ruddock, M., Vamvakas, G., Robinson, E., Holden, C. J., Taylor, C., Smith, T. J., Sonuga-Barke, E., Bolton, P., Charman, T., Pickles, A., Wass, S., Johnson, M. H. and INTERSTAARS team 2021. INTERSTAARS: Attention training for infants with elevated likelihood of developing ADHD: A proof-of-concept randomised controlled trial. Translational Psychiatry . 11 (Art. 644). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-021-01698-9
Authors | Goodwin, A., Jones, E. J. H., Salomone, S., Mason, L., Holman, R., Begum-Ali, J., Hunt, A., Ruddock, M., Vamvakas, G., Robinson, E., Holden, C. J., Taylor, C., Smith, T. J., Sonuga-Barke, E., Bolton, P., Charman, T., Pickles, A., Wass, S., Johnson, M. H. and INTERSTAARS team |
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Abstract | Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is first diagnosed during middle childhood, when patterns of difficulty are often established. Pre-emptive approaches that strengthen developing cognitive systems could offer an alternative to post-diagnostic interventions. This proof-of-concept randomised controlled trial (RCT) tested whether computerised gaze-based attention training is feasible and improves attention in infants liable to develop ADHD. Forty-three 9- to 16-month-old infants with a first-degree relative with ADHD were recruited (11/2015–11/2018) at two UK sites and randomised with minimisation by site and sex to receive 9 weekly sessions of either (a) gaze-contingent attention training (intervention; n = 20); or (b) infant-friendly passive viewing of videos (control, n = 23). Sessions were delivered at home with blinded outcome assessments. The primary outcome was a composite of attention measures jointly analysed via a multivariate ANCOVA with a combined effect size (ES) from coefficients at baseline, midpoint and endpoint (Registration: ISRCTN37683928). Uptake and compliance was good but intention-to-treat analysis showed no significant differences between 20 intervention and 23 control infants on primary (ES −0.4, 95% CI −0.9 to 0.2; Complier-Average-Causal Effect ES −0.6, 95% CI −1.6 to 0.5) or secondary outcomes (behavioural attention). There were no adverse effects on sleep but a small increase in post-intervention session fussiness. Although feasible, there was no support for short-term effects of gaze-based attention training on attention skills in early ADHD. Longer-term outcomes remain to be assessed. The study highlights challenges and opportunities for pre-emptive intervention approaches to the management of ADHD. |
Journal | Translational Psychiatry |
Journal citation | 11 (Art. 644) |
ISSN | 2158-3188 |
Year | 2021 |
Publisher | Springer Nature |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Anyone |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-021-01698-9 |
Publication dates | |
Online | 20 Dec 2021 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 21 May 2025 |
Copyright holder | © 2021 The Authors |
https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/8z8y8
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