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Contraction of time in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

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Check out this Knowledge Base article from StressTherapy Solutions: Contraction of time in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

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Study at a glance

Area
ADHD & Attention
Study type
Observational study
Authors
Gilden DL, Marusich LR
Journal
Neuropsychology
Year
2009
Population
Adults
Protocol
rhythmic drumming task at slow tempos

Key findings

  • Adults with ADHD had a faster rhythm cut-off tempo than adults without ADHD
  • Rhythmic feel was assessed through steady drumming across a range of tempos
  • Supports the conjecture that working memory time spans are shortened in ADHD
  • Authors link the result to systemic effects of dopamine dysfunction on cognition

DOI 10.1037/a0014553 → PubMed 19254099 →

This brief report tested the idea that ADHD, which has been linked to altered dopamine function, shortens the time spans that memory systems can hold. Adults with diagnosed ADHD and adults without it were assessed for the slowest tempo at which they could still feel a steady rhythm, an implicit timing skill studied through drumming. People with ADHD lost the feel of the rhythm at a faster tempo than controls. The authors conclude this fits the view that impaired dopamine dynamics reset the internal clock that governs how time is experienced.