Medical device to support the assessment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is a common disorder, affecting up to 5% of children. The number of children being diagnosed with ADHD has increased 10-fold in the last 30 years. ADHD is associated with risks such as educational underachievement and possibly social and occupational impairment later in life.
The UK is currently rated the worst in Europe for the time between a patient’s first clinic visit with a specialist service and receiving an ADHD diagnosis, which is frequently more than 2 years.
Diagnosis currently works by combining information from a child’s carer and education team with clinical observations and self-reports, which leads to long waiting times and an increased number of consultations.
Early diagnosis and timely interventions can assist in reducing the risks associated with ADHD. QbTest is a medical device developed by Qbtech Ltd that assesses the three core symptoms of ADHD: attention, impulsivity and motor activity, using a computerised performance test and motion detection camera.
Qbtech approached MindTech for advice about conducting a trial of QbTest.
We worked alongside Qbtech to successfully apply for funding from the Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East Midlands (formerly CLAHRC) to run an independent evaluation of Qbtest in the NHS.
The AQUA trial (Assessing QbTest Utility in ADHD) was the first large-scale RCT to assess the clinical and operational impact of QbTest. The findings showed that QbTest significantly reduces the time and number of appointments needed for diagnosis, increases clinician confidence, and supports robust decision-making.
The national evaluation of QbTest demonstrated its ease of integration into clinical practice, high levels of clinician satisfaction, and improved service efficiency. These studies formed the foundation for national and international adoption of QbTest.
Diagnosis with the test is found to save time and money. The implementation of the QbTest has provided an estimated cost saving to the NHS of £1.9 million per year. It has also resulted in reduced waiting lists for ADHD assessment, with diagnostic decisions now reached up to 50% faster.
The research directly informed the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance (2024), making QbTest the only recommended technology for ADHD assessment. By 2025, 80% of NHS Trusts in England had adopted QbTest, benefitting over 163,000 children, saving 52,282 clinical appointments, and releasing 132,652 hours of healthcare capacity, contributing to £55.9 million in NHS savings. The research also led to environmental benefits and commercial success for QbTech Ltd, which expanded its workforce and international reach, achieving its one-millionth global test.
The QbTest has been approved for use in the United States of America by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
It has also been recommended for use to assist in the diagnosis of ADHD by guidance from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
The work conducted by MindTech was recognised by a national NIHR Impact Prize, with judges citing influence on national policy and measurable NHS benefits. Additional accolades include the Health Service Journal (HSJ) Best Mental Health Partnership Award, the National Innovate Awards (Innovation Spread Category), and inclusion in the NIHR Best Research for Best Health collection.