What is the Cognitive Deficit in Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT)? A Review of Neuropsychological Research

Free AccessWhat is the Cognitive Deficit in Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT)? A Review of Neuropsychological ResearchRussell A. Barkley, Erik Willcutt and Lisa A. JacobsonRussell A. BarkleyCorrespondence concerning this article should be directed to Dr. Barkley at [email protected], Erik Willcutt and Lisa A. Jacobson1 Editor of the ADHD Report and previously a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. He is now retired from his work in academic medical centers.2 Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the university of Colorado-Boulder.3 Director of Research in the Department of Neuropsychology at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, and Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD.Published Online:March 2022https://doi.org/10.1521/adhd.2022.30.2.1PDFPDF PLUS ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations AboutREFERENCESBarakat M., , Mashmoushi R., , Oghgassian G., , & Shamseddeen W. (2020). A retrospective investigation of the added clinical value of SCT symptoms on neuropsychological assessments in youth with ADHD. Child Neuropsychology, 27(3), 281–295. Crossref, Google ScholarBarkley R. A. (2011). Barkley Deficits in Executive functioning Scale. New York: Guilford Publications. Google ScholarBarkley R. A. (2012a). Barkley Deficits in Executive functioning Scale—Children and Adolescents. New York: Guilford Publications. Google ScholarBarkley R. A. (2012b). Distinguishing sluggish cognitive tempo from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 121, 978–990. Crossref, Google ScholarBarkley R. A. (2013). Distinguishing sluggish cognitive tempo from ADHD in children and adolescents: executive functioning, impairment, and comorbidity. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 42, 161–173. Crossref, Google ScholarBarkley R. A. (2015). Emotional dysregulation is a core component of ADHD. In Barkley R. A. (ed.). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment (4th ed.) (pp. 81–115). New York: Guilford Press. Google ScholarBauermeister J. J., , Barkley R. A., , Bauermeister J. A., , Martinez J. V., , & McBurnett K. (2012). Validity of the sluggish cognitive tempo, inattention, and hyperactivity symptom dimensions: neuropsychological and psychosocial correlates. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 40, 683–697. Crossref, Google ScholarBaytunca M. B., , Inci S. B., , Ipci M., , Kardas B., , Bolat G. U., , Ercan E. S. (2018). The neurocognitive nature of children with ADHD comorbid sluggish tempo: Might SCT be a disorder of vigilance? Psychiatry Research, 270, 967–973. Crossref, Google ScholarBecker S. P., , & Barkley R. A. (2021). Field of daydreams? Integrating mind wandering in the study of sluggish cognitive tempo and ADHD. Journal of Child Psycology and Psychiatry Advances, Epub ahead of print. Google ScholarBecker S. P., , Dvorsky M. R., , Tamm L., , & Willoughby M. T. (2020). Preschool neuropsychological predictors of school-age sluggish cognitive tempo and inattentive behaviors. Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopatholgy, 49, 197–210. Crossref, Google ScholarBecker S. P., , & Langberg J. M. (2013). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and sluggish cognitive tempo dimensions in relation to executive functioning in adolescents with ADHD. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 45, 1–11. Crossref, Google ScholarBecker S. P., , Leopold D. R., , Burns G. L., , Jarrett M. A., , Langberg J. M., , Marshall S. A., , McBurnett K., , Waschbusch D. A., & Willcutt E. G. (2016). The internal, external, and diagnostic validity of sluggish cognitive tempo: A meta-analysis and critical review. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 55(3), 163–178. Crossref, Google ScholarBecker S. P., , Marsh N. P., , Holdaway A. S., , & Tamm L. (2020). Sluggish cognitive rempo and processing speed in adolescents with ADHD: do findings vary based on informant and task? European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 29, 1371–1384. Crossref, Google ScholarBecker S. P., , Willcutt E. G., , Leopold D. R., , Fredrick J. W., , Smith Z. R., , Jacoson L. A., , Burns G. L., , Mayes S. D., , Waschbusch D. A., , Froehlich T. E., , McBurnett K., , Servera M., , & Barkley R. A. (2022). Report of a work group on sluggish cognitive tempo: Key research directions and a consensus change in terminology to Cognitive Disengagement Hypoactivity Syndrome (CDHS). Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Under review. Google ScholarBrewe A. M., , Simmons G. L., , Capriola-Hall N. N., , and White S. W. (2020). Sluggish cognitive tempo: An examination of clinical correlates for adults with autism. Autism. 24(6), 1373–1383. Crossref, Google ScholarCamprodon-Rosanas E., , Ribas-Fito N., , Batlle S., , Persavento C., , Alvarexz-Pedrerol M., , Sunyer J., , & Forns J. (2020). Association between sluggish cognitive tempo symptoms and attentional network and working memory in primary schoolchildren. Journal of Attention Disorders, 24(13), 1787–1795. Crossref, Google ScholarCollado-Valero J., , Navarro-Soria I., , Delgado-Domenech B., , Real-Fernandez M., , Costa-Lopex B., , Mazon-Esquiva I., , & Lavigne-Cervan R. (2021). ADHD and sluggish cognitive temporo: Comparing executive functioning response patterns. Sustainability, 13(19), 10506, Epub ahead of print. Crossref, Google ScholarCook N. E., , Braaten E. B., , Vujik P. J., , Lee A., , Samkavitz A. R., , Doyle A. E., , & Surman C. B. H. (2019). Slow processing speed and sluggish cognitive tempo in pediatric attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Evidence for differentiation of functional correlates. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 50, 1049–1057. Crossref, Google ScholarCreque C. A., , & Willcutt E. G. (2021). Sluggish cognitive tempo and neuropsychological functioning. Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, 49, 1001–1013. Crossref, Google ScholarDuncan A., , Tamm L., , Birnschein A. M., & Becker S. P. (2019). Clinical correlates of sluggish cognitive tempo in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Autism, 23(6), 1354–1362. Crossref, Google ScholarFassbender C., , Krafft C. E., , & Schweitzer J. B. (2015). Differentiating SCT and inattentive symptoms of ADHD using fMRI measures of cognitive control. NeuroImage: Clinical, 8, 390–397. Crossref, Google ScholarFiroozehchi Z. R., , Mashhadi A., , & Bigdeli I. (2021). The comparison of sluggish cognitive tempo, processing speed, and executive functions in female children with specific learning disabilities and typically developing female children: A pilot study. Applied Neuropsychology: Child, Epub ahead of print. Google ScholarFlannery A. J., , Luebbe A. M., , & Becker S. P. (2017). Sluggish cognitive tempo is associated with poorer study skills, more executive functioning deficits, and greater impairment in college students. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 73(9), 1091–1113. Crossref, Google ScholarJacobson A. L., , Geist M., , & Mahone M. (2018). Sluggish cognitive tempo, processing speed, and internalizing symptoms: the moderating effect of age. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 46(1), 127–135. Crossref, Google ScholarJarrett M. A., , Rapport H. F., , Rondon A. T., , & Becker S. P. (2017). ADHD dimensions and sluggish cognitive tempo symptoms in relation to self-report and laboratory measures of neuropsychological functioning in college students. Journal of Attention Disorders, 21, 673–683. Crossref, Google ScholarJimenez A. A., , Ballabriga M. C. J., , Martin A. B., , Arrufat F. J., , & Giacobo R. S. (2013). Executive functioning in children and adolescents with sluggish cognitive tempo and ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders, 19, 507–514. Crossref, Google ScholarKim K., , & Kim H-J. (2021). Normal executive attention but abnormal orienting attention in individuals with sluggish cognitive tempo. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, 21(1), 100199. Crossref, Google ScholarKofler M. J., , Rapport R. D., , Sarver D. E., , Raiker J. S., , Orban S. A., , Friedman L. M., , & Kolomeyer E. G. (2013). Reaction time variability in ADHD: A meta-analytic review of 319 studies. Clinical Psychology Review, 33, 795–811. Crossref, Google ScholarKofler M. J., , Irwin L. N., , Sarver D. E., , Fosco W. D., , Miller C. E., , Spiegel J. A., , & Becker S. P. (2019). What cognitive processes are "sluggish" in sluggish cognitive tempo? Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 87(11), 1030–1042. Crossref, Google ScholarLeikauf J. E., , & Solanto M. V. (2017). Sluggish cognitive tempo, internalizing symptoms, and executive function in adults with ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders, 21(8), 701–711. Crossref, Google ScholarLundervold A. J., , Posserud M. B., , Ullebo A. K., , Sorensen L., , & Gillberg C. (2011). Teacher reports of hypoactivity symptoms reflect slow cognitive processing speed in primary school children. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 20, 121–126. Crossref, Google ScholarMahdavi S., , Hasper E., , & Donders J. (2021). Sluggish cognitive tempo in children with traumatic brain injuries. Applied Neuropsychology: Child, 10(3), 240–246. Crossref, Google ScholarMayes S. D., , Calhoun S. L., , & Waschbusch D. A. (2021). Relationship between sluggish cognitive tempo and sleep, psychological, somatic, and cognitive problems and impairment in children with autism and children with ADHD. Child Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, 26(2), 518–530. Crossref, Google ScholarMirsky A. F. (1996). Disorders of attention. In Lyon R. G., & Krasnegor N. A. (Eds.), Attention, memory, and executive function (pp. 71–96). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes. Google ScholarPark Y., , & Lee J.-H. (2021). The deficit of early selective attention in adults with sluggish cognitive tempo: in comparison with those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 1–12. Crossref, Google ScholarPeterson R. L., , Jones K., , & Jacobson L. A. (2021). The contribution of sluggish cognitive tempo to processing speed in survivors of pediatric brain tumors. Child Neuropsychology, 27(7), 960–972. Crossref, Google ScholarReinvall O., , Kujala T., , Voutilainen A., , Moisio A-L., , Lahti-Nuuttila P., , Laasonen M. (2017). Sluggish cognitive tempo in children and adolescents with higher functioning autism spectrum disorders: Social impairments and internalizing symptoms. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 58(5), 389–399. Crossref, Google ScholarSevincok D., , Avcil S., , & Ozbek M. M. (2021). The relationship between theory of mind and sluggish cognitive tempo in school-age children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 26(4), 1137–1152. Crossref, Google ScholarSmith J. N., , & Suhr J. A. (2021). Sluggish cognitive tempo factors in emerging adults: Symptomatic and neuropsychological correlates. Developmental Neuropsychology, 46(5), Epub ahead of print. Google ScholarSorrell A. E., & Canu W. H. (2018). Sluggish cognitive tempo and temporal processing: An exploratory examination of association using a novel measure. ADHD Report, 26(7), 7–12. Link, Google ScholarSkirbekk B., , Hansen B. H., , Oerbeck B., , & Kristensen H. (2011). The relationship between sluggish cognitive tempo, subjects of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and anxiety disorders. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 39, 513–525. Crossref, Google ScholarTamm L., , Brenner S. B., , Bamberger M. E., , & Becker S. P. (2018). Are sluggish cognitive tempo symptoms associated with executive functioning in preschoolers? Child Neuropsychology, 24(1), 82–105. Crossref, Google ScholarToplak M. E., , West R. F., , & Stanovich K. E. (2013). Practitioner review: Do performance-based measures and ratings of executive function assess the same construct? Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 54, 131–143. Crossref, Google ScholarWahlstedt C., & Bohlin G. (2010). DSM-IV defined inattention and sluggish cognitive tempo: independent and interactive relations to neuropsychological factors and comorbidity. Child Neuropsychology, 16(4), 250–365. Crossref, Google ScholarWillcutt E. G., , Chhabildas N., , Kinnear M., , DeFries J. C., , Olson R. K., , Leopold D. R., , Keenan J. M., , & Pennington B. F. (2014). The internal and external validity of sluggish cognitive tempo and its relation with DSM-IV ADHD. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 42, 21–35. Crossref, Google ScholarWood W. L. M., , Lewandowski L. J., , Lovett B. J., , & Antshel K. M. (2017). Executive dysfunction and functional impairment associated with sluggish cognitive tempo in emerging adulthood. Journal of Attention Disorders, 21, 691–700. Crossref, Google ScholarWood W. L. M., , Potts H. E., , Lewandowski L. J., , & Lovett B. J. (2016). Sluggish cognitive tempo and speed of performance. Journal of Attention Disorders, 21, 684–690. Crossref, Google Scholar Next article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Cited byCited by1. Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (Sluggish Cognitive Tempo) and Social Withdrawal: Advancing a Conceptual Model to Guide Future ResearchOnline publication date: 4 August 2022. Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar2. Academic functioning in children with and without sluggish cognitive tempoOnline publication date: Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar3. Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome) and Academic Functioning: A Systematic Review and Agenda for Future ResearchOnline publication date: 18 September 2022. Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar4. Report of a Work Group on Sluggish Cognitive Tempo: Key Research Directions and a Consensus Change in Terminology to Cognitive Disengagement SyndromeOnline publication date: Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar Volume 30Issue 2Mar 2022 Information© 2022 The Guilford PressKeywordsSluggish cognitive tempohypoactivityADHD-INPDF download