Development and applications of the SWAN rating scale for assessment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a literature review

Abstract

This study reviewed the use of the Strengths and Weaknesses of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity-symptoms and Normal-behaviors (SWAN) rating scale in diagnostic and evolutive approaches to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and in correlational studies of the disorder. A review of articles published in indexed journals from electronic databases was conducted and 61 articles on the SWAN scale were analyzed. From these, 27 were selected to a) examine use of SWAN in research on attention disorders and b) verify evidence of its usefulness in the areas of genetics, neuropsychology, diagnostics, psychiatric comorbidities, neuroimaging, pharmacotherapy, and to examine its statistical reliability and validity in studies of diverse populations. This review of articles indicated a growing use of the SWAN scale for diagnostic purposes, for therapy, and in research on areas other than ADHD, especially when compared with other reliable scales. Use of the scale in ADHD diagnosis requires further statistical testing to define its psychometric properties.

A Time Series-Based Point Estimation of Stop Signal Reaction Times: More Evidence on the Role of Reactive Inhibition-Proactive Inhibition Interplay on the SSRT Estimations

“…The study’s variables included stop-signal delay (centi-seconds), previous trial type (stop/go), and ADHD status (yes/no). The ADHD variable was defined based on SWAN z-score [ 29 ], whether the score falls in the top 10% of the distribution (defined as ADHD case) or not (defined as control case).…”

From positive psychology to psychopathology: the continuum of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder

“…Strength and Weaknesses of ADHD Symptoms and Normal behaviour: Twins provided self-reports on the 18 DSM-IV-based items of the SWAN questionnaire (Brites, Salgado-Azoni, Ferreira, Lima, & Ciasca, 2015;Hay et al, 2007). Each DSM item is rephrased to represent a neutral trait (e.g.…”

Comparison between Actigraphic Records, the Evaluation of Behavior and Attention, and the Use of Psychostimulants in ADHD Patients: A Pilot Study

“…However, in this study, precautions were taken to account for the competence of those administering the survey, as well as to ensure that these individuals were being well prepared to take part in the study; they were additionally guided by the clinical team that conducted the study. This scale is easy to use and it is accessible for application by education professionals; it can also be administered for various study purposes within the realm of ADHD (Brites, Salgado-Azoni, Ferreira, Lima, & Ciasca, 2015), although it is important to note that when the SWAN scale was applied in a double-blind scenario by the clinical team (SWAN-C), there was a significant reduction in the attention deficit score.…”