Context Regulation of Mind Wandering in ADHD

Abstract

Objective We aimed to understand the association between MW frequency and clinical measures, context regulation of MW and group differences in task performance. Method 27 adults with ADHD and 29 controls performed tasks manipulating demand on working memory and sustained attention, and recorded their MW frequency using probes. Results A significant association between MW frequency and the clinical measures was demonstrated. Along with increased MW frequency, individuals with ADHD reported decreasing MW frequency during increasing demands on working memory (context regulation), but not on sustained attention (deficient context regulation). Controls, however, maintained continuous task focus across all conditions. Group differences in task performance were no longer significant after adding MW frequency as a covariate. Conclusion Deficient context regulation during increasing demands on sustained attention suggests that sustained attention deficits may play a more important role in regulation of MW in ADHD. MW frequency might also underpin performance deficits in ADHD.

Event-related brain dynamics during mind wandering in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: An experience-sampling approach

“…With regards to our previous ERP findings, we found that individuals with ADHD showed significantly reduced P1 amplitudes (reflecting early sensory processes) relative to controls during periods of task focus, but no differences during MW episodes. Conversely, P3 amplitudes (reflecting attention allocation) were lower in those with ADHD than controls during MW but not during task focus ( Bozhilova et al, 2021a , Bozhilova et al, 2021b ). Given the strong association of MW with ADHD symptomatology and associated daily life difficulties ( Bozhilova et al, 2018 ), identifying the neural correlates of real-time MW levels may suggest new ways to monitor treatment effects in individuals with ADHD, with the potential to improve future treatment practices.…”

“…The testing session for all participants lasted approximately 3–4 h and included a clinical interview for ADHD (DIVA 2.0), IQ testing and self-report measures, and two computerised tasks with simultaneous EEG recordings preceded by a practice session for each task ( Bozhilova et al, 2021a , Bozhilova et al, 2021b ). Participants were asked not to smoke, consume caffeinated/alcoholic drinks, and take non-illicit substances on the day of the testing.…”

“…However, this study measured MW with a self-reported questionnaire, rather than taking an experience-sampling approach for distinguishing between periods of MW and task focus during a cognitive task in real time. Using cognitive performance and event-related potential (ERP) measures in the sample used for the current study, we recently found that adults without ADHD maintained consistent task focus with increasing demand on both working memory and sustained attention (i.e., context regulation) ( Bozhilova et al, 2020 , Bozhilova et al, 2021b , Bozhilova et al, 2021a , Bozhilova et al, 2021b ). Instead, adults with ADHD showed deficient context regulation of MW (i.e., increased MW frequency) during high cognitive demand on sustained attention, but not on working memory ( Bozhilova et al, 2020 , Bozhilova et al, 2021a , Bozhilova et al, 2021b ).…”

“…Using cognitive performance and event-related potential (ERP) measures in the sample used for the current study, we recently found that adults without ADHD maintained consistent task focus with increasing demand on both working memory and sustained attention (i.e., context regulation) ( Bozhilova et al, 2020 , Bozhilova et al, 2021b , Bozhilova et al, 2021a , Bozhilova et al, 2021b ). Instead, adults with ADHD showed deficient context regulation of MW (i.e., increased MW frequency) during high cognitive demand on sustained attention, but not on working memory ( Bozhilova et al, 2020 , Bozhilova et al, 2021a , Bozhilova et al, 2021b ). With regards to our previous ERP findings, we found that individuals with ADHD showed significantly reduced P1 amplitudes (reflecting early sensory processes) relative to controls during periods of task focus, but no differences during MW episodes.…”

“…To further elucidate the neural mechanisms of MW, we carried out a new in-depth analysis of the data presented in our previous publication ( Bozhilova et al, 2021a , Bozhilova et al, 2021b ), using event-related brain oscillatory analysis. This time–frequency approach can investigate both spectral and time-related aspects of the EEG data and thus provides richer information on the neural bases of fast-changing cognitive processes compared to cognitive performance and ERP measures ( Michelini et al, 2022 ).…”