Qbtech ADHD Diagnostic Tools – Provider Toolkit Summary
Qbtech is a digital health company (founded 2002) that developed the first FDA-cleared, objective ADHD tests for both in-clinic and remote use. Their flagship in-office test, QbTest, combines a computerized continuous performance task (CPT) with high-precision motion capture (infrared camera and head sensor) to quantify hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. The test takes about 15–20 minutes and is intended for ages 6–60. Results are delivered immediately as a graphical report comparing the patient’s performance (activity level, reaction times, errors, etc.) against age- and sex-matched normative data. Qbtech emphasizes that objective scores help clinicians “have confidence in their diagnostic decision” and “measure response to treatment” beyond subjective ratings.
Qbtech’s QbTest Telehealth (powered by QbCheck) adapts this assessment for remote testing. Patients use any standard PC or Mac with a built-in or attached webcam; no special hardware is needed. Like QbTest in-office, the Telehealth version is FDA-cleared for ADHD diagnostic and treatment monitoring purposes. It employs the same 15–20 minute CPT paradigm and measures the same core symptoms, but uses the patient’s webcam to track motion instead of an infrared camera. After the test, a concise 2-page report is generated that includes up to five quantitative measures and even an embedded DSM-5 symptom rating scale, allowing the clinician to compare the patient’s performance against norms. Notably, QbTest Telehealth (through QbCheck) meets high security standards (end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, ISO-27001) and provides subscription-based access for easy integration into telepsychiatry practices.
Testing Protocol and Result Analysis
QbTest is administered as a simple, nonverbal computer task. The provider places a small motion sensor on the patient’s head and uses an infrared camera to record movement. The patient is asked to press a button in response to target stimuli on the screen over a series of trials. As one clinic explains, the test “involves a 15 to 20 minute, nonverbal, computer-based task” that measures attention and impulse control while simultaneously tracking any physical movement (hyperactivity). During the task, the system records data on reaction times, omission/commission errors and movement intensity. Immediately after the test, the software generates visual reports: bar graphs, percentiles and trajectory plots that show how the patient’s activity, attention and impulsivity measures compare to an age- and sex-matched normative sample.
Test duration: ~15–20 minutes of continuous CPT.
Measures: Head movement (activity/hyperactivity), reaction time variability, omission errors (inattention), commission errors (impulsivity).
Normative comparison: Patient scores are graphically overlaid on normative ranges for the patient’s demographic group.
Reporting: In-office testing can yield up to four detailed reports per session (covering ~18 distinct measures and various summaries). Telehealth testing yields a streamlined 2-page report (up to 5 measures plus a DSM-5 ADHD scale).
Clinicians combine the QbTest results with clinical history and rating scales to inform diagnostic decisions. For example, a typical protocol is that if an ADHD diagnosis is given, the patient is retested after treatment to objectively gauge changes. As Qbtech notes, after diagnosis “our practice may then conduct Qbtech’s testing after treatment is initiated to measure your response to treatment”. The toolkit emphasizes that QbTest can both aid diagnosis (by objectively distinguishing ADHD-related symptom patterns from other issues) and monitor treatment (by quantifying symptom changes over time).
Clinical Benefits and Evidence
Qbtech’s objective tests are intended to complement, not replace, clinical evaluation. Multiple independent studies support their utility. For instance, the AQUA study found that clinicians were statistically more confident in their ADHD diagnoses when QbTest results were available compared to when they were not. In practice, Qbtech reports that their products bring significant benefits to care pathways for ADHD:
Elevated diagnostic confidence: Objective data helps clinicians feel more certain about diagnosing or ruling out ADHD.
Improved accuracy: QbTest identifies symptom changes (e.g. medication effects) about 50% better than standard self-report scales (e.g. ASRS).
Standardized care: Using the same test across settings promotes consistency across clinicians and disciplines.
Better patient engagement: Patients often find the test straightforward (it requires no reading/math) and appreciate seeing a visual “report card” of their attention and activity levels.
Increased access: The Telehealth option allows objective testing for patients in remote or underserved areas, expanding care access.
Qbtech notes that their tests have been widely adopted, with deployments in 43 U.S. states and by national healthcare systems (e.g. the NHS in England at 120+ sites). The toolkit highlights that over 35 published studies validate QbTest’s effectiveness in diagnosis and treatment optimization, and even won a 2022 Best in Mental Health award in the UK. Clinicians are provided with evidence summaries and sample reports to help interpret results and educate patients.
Implementation and Support
To facilitate clinic implementation, Qbtech provides all necessary equipment and training. For in-office use, the QbTest kit includes an infrared motion-tracking camera, head-mounted sensor, a laptop with QbTest software, and a patient responder button. For remote use, the only requirement is a computer (PC or Mac) with a webcam and internet – the software (QbTest Telehealth via QbCheck) is web-based and subscription-accessible. The company offers on-site installation and comprehensive training (via in-person sessions or online self-guided modules) to ensure staff can administer the tests correctly. They also provide ongoing technical and clinical support and billing guidance.
The toolkit encourages practices to integrate QbTest into their diagnostic workflow (e.g. scheduling it as part of the ADHD evaluation process) and to collaborate with referring clinicians. For example, letter templates explain to primary care or school professionals how the test works and how its report can aid patient care.
Marketing and Practice Integration Tools
An important part of the Provider Toolkit is a suite of marketing and communication materials that clinics can customize. These include sample patient education letters (explaining what the QbTest involves and why it’s useful) and clinician referral letters (describing the objective testing service to other providers). A press release template and social media posts are provided to announce the new capability to the community. The toolkit also contains a “Rethinking ADHD” brochure, branding guidelines, and web resources (“webkits”) so clinics can align outreach with Qbtech’s messaging. Clinics are advised to highlight benefits like objective assessment and treatment tracking when promoting the service.
For example, the patient letter emphasizes how QbTest avoids subjective bias (using age/sex-norms) and helps measure treatment effect in an “easy” 15–20 minute task. Similarly, the referral letter template for physicians underscores that QbTest data are “highly objective” and supported by research, and that it can quantify symptom severity and help optimize patient carefile-dmsig3zfxotgckcslx4fmp. Qbtech’s marketing team is also available for guidance, and the materials reinforce that combining the objective test with clinical interview and rating scales leads to a more complete assessment.
Enhancing Diagnostic Confidence and Monitoring
By providing quantitative data, QbTest and QbTest Telehealth aim to reduce ambiguity in ADHD evaluation. The normative comparison charts let families and patients see where symptoms stand relative to typical peers. For clinicians, this objective evidence can improve diagnostic confidence – the AQUA study specifically found clinicians felt more certain when they had QbTest results. This objectivity is also valuable in borderline or complex cases where ADHD overlaps with other conditions, since the pattern of scores can suggest whether attention deficits and hyperactivity match an ADHD profile.
Moreover, these tools are explicitly cleared for treatment monitoring. Clinics can repeat the test after starting medication or behavioral therapy to quantify change. As Qbtech notes, patients and providers can “measure how your treatment is working in a short, yet objective manner,” facilitating better medication management. In practice, clinicians can compare a patient’s current QbTest report to prior baselines (and to normative data) to gauge improvement in attention and hyperactivity. The toolkit cites that QbTest detects treatment effects about 50% more often than patient self-reports, underscoring its role as a sensitive outcome metric.
Overall, Qbtech’s integrated approach – combining FDA-cleared technology, training/support, and marketing resources – is designed to help clinics adopt these tools smoothly. By standardizing objective testing in ADHD clinics, Qbtech aims to enhance diagnostic accuracy, streamline evaluations, and ultimately improve patient outcomes through better-informed treatment decisions.