Vestibular and Balance Function in ADHD

Objectives/Hypothesis: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) designates a spectrum of disorders characterized by inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity whose neurological foundations are largely unknown. Current research hypothesizes several mechanisms for the symptoms seen in this heterogeneous population, including vestibular dysfhnction. Past research has investigated the vestibular system in children with learning disabilities, of which ADHD is included, but no research has specifically compared vestibular function in children with and without ADHD. The objective of this study was to determine if differences in vestibular and ocular motor function, posturography and balance ability exist in children with ADHD and those without. Study Design: Prospective Methods: Forty children (18 with ADHI), 22 without) with an age range of 6-13 and a mean age of 9.27 participated in this study. Ocular motor and vestibular function was evaluated using computed generated eye tracking tests with infra-red oculography. Balance function was measured using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency. The BalanceTrak 500® system was used to perform posturography tests. Results: Children with ADFID did significantly worse in the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test (p—O.O34). No significant differences were seen in the posturography and ocular motor testing, but children with ADHD tended to perform worse than children without. Vestibular and Balance Function in ADF{D Coc1usions: The difference in balance function and the trends seen in the posturography and ocular motor testing are reassuring to maintain the hypothesis of deficits in the vestibular and ocular motor systems in children with ADHD. The lack of statistical significance in the vestibular and ocular motor testing is most likely due to small sample size.