Digital test for ADHD diagnosis approved for use in the NHS
- 9 September 2024
- NICE has approved a digital test to help diagnose ADHD in children and young people
- Researchers found the QbTest improves and speeds up assessments when used alongside existing methods
- NIHR funded the research into the test, which was reviewed by NICE
The NHS is now using a digital test to speed up the diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, following successful trials by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
ADHD affects an estimated 3-5% of school-age children who show symptoms of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity and is complex to diagnose because the feedback is subjective and can be contradictory.
Currently it takes around 18 months for a child to get an ADHD diagnosis, but researchers found that the QbTest improves and speeds up assessments when used alongside existing methods.
In July 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued draft guidance approving the use of the QbTest by psychiatrists and specialist children’s doctors to help diagnose ADHD in children and young people.
This followed a technology assessment review for the test by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme in October 2023.
Mark Chapman, director of HealthTech at NICE, said: “Evidence presented to our committee showed the QbTest could increase the number of children and young people who get a diagnostic decision within six months of starting assessment.”
During the QbTest, the child responds to target stimuli while ignoring other stimuli for 20 minutes. A camera tracks the movements of a marker attached to the patient’s head.
Results are then compared to a group of children of the same age and gender who do not have ADHD.
The first independent randomised controlled trial was funded by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East Midlands and supported by the NIHR Mental Health MedTech Co-operative (Mind Tech).
NIHR funded and supported the research, which NICE reviewed as part of the process of recommending the QbTest.
Researchers found that the QbTest shortens the assessment cycle, with patients 44% more likely to receive a diagnostic decision within six months.
It also doubled the likelihood of excluding ADHD in the first six months and helped 85% of patients surveyed to better understand their symptoms.
Professor Richard Morriss, NIHR ARC East Midlands mental health and wellbeing theme lead, said: “There has been a fourfold increase in referrals for ADHD since the Covid-19 pandemic and this device can reduce time to an accurate diagnosis in children and young people by one third in terms of clinic time.
“NICE has now recommended QbTest, which is now used in 70% of NHS services for ADHD in children and young people.”
NIHR Applied Research Colloboration (ARC) East Midlands is now exploring how QbTest might also help with treating as well as diagnosing ADHD.
