The test of variables of attention (TOVA) is useful in the diagnosis of Japanese male children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of the test of variables of attention (TOVA) to distinguish between 6- to 12-year-old Japanese male children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD group; n=17) meeting DSM-IV and ICD-10 criteria, and age-matched, normal Japanese male controls (control group; n=19). The TOVA is a computer-administered, visual continuous performance test that provides measures of attention. The ADHD group had significantly higher means than the control group in all variables: omission errors, commission errors, response time, response time variability, anticipatory responses, and multiple response. Control children exhibited age-related changes in two variables: response time and response-time variability, but no age-related changes were observed in any variables in the ADHD group. This preliminary study indicates that the TOVA makes a useful contribution to the diagnosis of Japanese male children with ADHD.