Developmental changes in the kiddie continuous performance test and its appropriate age for application

: The Kiddie Continuous Performance Test (K-CPT) was produced by Conners for children in age from 4 to 5 years. This study attempted to examine the developmental changes and gender differences of this test in children from preschool to adolescence, to verify its appropriate age range for application, and also to obtain a norm for clinical applications. K-CPT was administered to 327 healthy participants from 4 to 18 years of age. Participants were divided into 7 age groups. The performances were examined in 6 measures: the total number of omission errors (OE), the total number of commission errors (CE), the mean hit reaction time (HRT), the hit reaction time standard error (HRTSE), perceptual sensitivity (d') and response style (beta). All measures showed significant developmental changes. OE and beta showed floor effects around 10 years. Such measures as CE, HRT, HRTSE and d' showed significant developmental changes until adolescence. The effect of gender was found in performances in OE, CE, d' and beta. Male participants made more errors and showed less favorable perceptual sensitivity than did female participants. Results suggested that K-CPT would be appropriate for use with preschoolers and school-aged children. Findings also suggested that it is a potential diagnostic tool in children with developmental disorders.