NICE Recommends QbTest for ADHD Diagnosis in Youth

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), a UK public body funded by the government, has endorsed the use of Qbtech’s objective tests by the National Health Service (NHS) to enhance diagnostic wait times for children and adolescents aged six to 17. This recommendation allows QbTest to be used alongside traditional diagnostic methods, aiming to diagnose more children within six months of their initial assessment. This development is crucial in addressing the long waiting periods that many families face.

The AQUA clinical trial demonstrated that incorporating QbTest with standard clinical assessment for ADHD resulted in faster diagnostic decisions for a significant number of patients, within six months of their first appointment when QbTest results were available. This approach also enabled clinicians to rule out ADHD more frequently.

Dr. Angela LaRosa, a specialist in developmental and behavioral pediatrics based in Charleston, emphasized the importance of objective ADHD testing, supported by the recent NICE recommendation. She highlighted that including objective ADHD assessments in her practice has been essential for increasing access to care. This approach has provided better data for informed decision-making in treatment optimization and monitoring.

QbTest, an FDA-cleared, leading computer-based test with motion tracking, measures key ADHD symptoms such as inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. The results are analyzed and presented in a visual report that compares the subject’s performance to a normative control group of the same age and sex at birth without ADHD.

Mikkel Hansen, Chief Medical Officer at Qbtech, noted the global rise in ADHD diagnosis rates, citing a 16% increase reported by the CDC from 2016 to 2022. This surge in demand has strained healthcare systems, causing significant delays in diagnoses. Hansen stated that Qbtech’s objective tests add necessary safeguards to the diagnostic process, allowing clinicians to perform comprehensive assessments both effectively and efficiently. He expressed honor in being recognized by NICE and eagerness to collaborate with the NHS to improve ADHD care access in the UK and globally.

Qbtech’s ADHD testing technology is currently utilized by over 12,000 clinicians across 44 states in the U.S. and at a national level by organizations such as the NHS in England at more than 120 sites. The company’s technology has been validated in over 40 independent studies, showcasing improvements across the patient care pathway. This includes better access to care, increased clinician confidence, superior identification of treatment effects compared to self-rating, and standardized care across multiple disciplines.

Qbtech, founded in 2002, is a privately-owned Swedish company that has developed leading solutions for improving the identification, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of ADHD patients. The company operates in 14 countries and has offices in Stockholm, Houston, and London. Recognized for its innovation, Qbtech recently won the 2022 HSJ Partnership Award for the ‘Best Mental Health Partnership with the NHS.’

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