Generally, the test is 21.6 minutes long and is presented as a simple, yet boring, computer game.
However, The TOVA generates high false positive rates (30%) in normal controls and children with other psychiatric disorders (28%).
adult normative sample (1993) consisted of 250 subjects, age 20 and older and has not been updated to reflect current population characteristics.
was developed in the 1960s by Dr. Lawrence Greenberg, Head of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota.
After individuals were diagnosed with ADHD from using the VIRTEST, Dr. Greenberg began experimentation with different medications to try developing an adequate treatment plan.
The most common medications used in the trial included dextroamphetamine (a stimulant), chlorpromazine (an anti-psychotic), hydroxyzine (a minor tranquilizer), and a placebo.
The second section of the test is a measure of attention while attending to a stimulating task (target frequent).
The test taker clicks when they hear the target, which is presented as a single tone, usually "G" above "Middle C" (392.0 Hz).
measures a set of different variables to determine whether or not response times and attention is at the normal range for the sex and age of the test taker.
Over 2000 people without attention problems were measured to determine what is a normal response time for the sex and age of the test taker as a basis for the interpretation provided.