Preschool Children with ADHD have a Deficit in Reproducing the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure in Delayed Recall Condition

Background: It is known that children with ADHD have deficit in prefrontal cortex functions including deficit in working memory (Martinussen et al., 2012). In our previous research we have revealed that ADHD children at the age of 7-8 years have deficit in reproducing the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure in delayed recall condition (Kiselev, 2019).

Objective: The goal of this research was to examine the hypothesis that preschool children with ADHD have the same deficit in memory as children at the age of 7-8 years.

Methods: The experimental group included 15 children with ADHD at the age of 5-6 years. The control group included 15 typically developing children. The children from experimental and control group were matched for IQ, gender and age. Children from both groups were assessed with Rey–Osterrieth complex figure test (ROCF). This test is designed to assess reproducing the complex figure in immediate and delayed recall conditions. ANOVA with repeated measures was used to reveal group differences in reproducing the figure in two conditions.

Results: We have not revealed significant differences between children from experimental and control group in reproducing the figure in immediate condition. However, the interaction of condition type and group was significant [F(1,28)=11,34]. Children with ADHD had weakness in the accurate reproduction and placement of specific design elements of ROCF in delayed recall condition.

Conclusion: In view of our previously received results in children with ADHD, we can propose that deficit in memory in delayed recall condition can be one of the key symptoms in ADHD.