Characterizing Task-Switching Performance in Adults with ADHD

Abstract

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been shown to affect many areas of executive functioning, including task-switching. Individuals with ADHD are typically slower and less accurate when switching between tasks during a cued paradigm. However, Sams et al. (2017) examined task-switching ability in adult ADHD with a more naturalistic voluntary paradigm that requires participants to decide when to switch tasks. Results indicated smaller switch costs and more frequent switching by those with ADHD when compared to a control group. The current study was thus designed to try to replicate the results of Sams et al. (2017) and to address why individuals with ADHD might exhibit seemingly better task-switching performance despite their greater difficulties with executive functioning. Specifically, it was hypothesized that individuals with ADHD may form less durable task-sets that allow for switching unimpeded by the need for the time consuming process of task-set reconfiguration or the influence of proactive interference. To test this idea, performance on a voluntary task-switching paradigm that manipulated the response-to-stimulus interval (RSI) and an operation span task (OSPAN), as well as self-reported executive functioning deficits, were compared between an ADHD group and a control group. Results failed to replicate those of Sams et al. (2017), perhaps due to low power and differences in paradigm design, and manipulation of RSI was unsuccessful in providing insight into underlying mechanisms.