ADHD assessments currently rely on subjective behavioural ratings from interviewing parents, teachers, carers and the patient, but this can be a lengthy process, leading to long waiting lists and difficulties in getting a diagnosis.

There have been calls for more objective tests which would increase both the speed and accuracy of the diagnosis.The AQUA-Trial, a randomised controlled trial which was undertaken by MindTech's Professor Chris Hollis, Dr Maddie Groom, and Dr Charlotte Hall back in 2014-2016, investigated whether an objective computerised test, the ‘QbTest’ measuring a patient’s attention and impulsivity, could help improve the assessment of ADHD.The QbTest is now used within Notts Healthcare, in the CAMHS Developmental Neuropsychiatry Tic Disorder Service led by Chris Hollis, in the CAMHS ADHD Specialist Team (CAST) led by Kapil Sayal and has been trialled in other Health Innovation Networks across the country.

This week the test was recommended for use for ADHD diagnosis in new NICE guidelines,  suggesting it is used in conjunction with existing methods of diagnosis to speed up and improve clinical assessments. This exciting news has been shared across news outlets, including comments from Dr Maddie Groom appearing in The Guardian and the test could be used nationally throughout the NHS very soon.

It is very important that QbTest is not used alone – it should not be used to ‘triage’ cases for diagnostic assessment, and it should not be used as a standalone tool to reach a diagnostic decision. It has only been designed to be used alongside other clinical assessment tools.

- Dr Maddie Groom

Visit the NICE website for more information