ScholarSphere

Report of a Work Group on Sluggish Cognitive Tempo: Key Research Directions and a Consensus Change in Terminology to Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome

Objective: The aim of this work was 2-fold: (1) to evaluate current knowledge and identify key directions in the study of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT); and (2) to arrive at a consensus change in terminology for the construct that reflects the current science and may be more acceptable to researchers, clinicians, caregivers, and patients.

Method: An international Work Group was convened that, in early 2021, compiled an online archive of all research studies on SCT and summarized the current state of knowledge, noted methodological issues, and highlighted future directions, and met virtually on 10 occasions in 2021 to discuss these topics and terminology.

Results: Major progress has been made over the last decade in advancing our understanding of SCT across the following domains of inquiry: construct measurement and stability; genetic, environmental, pathophysiologic, and neuropsychological correlates; comorbid conditions; functional impairments; and psychosocial and medication interventions. Findings across these domains are summarized, and potential avenues to pursue in the next generation of SCT-related research are proposed. Following repeated discussions on terminology, the Work Group selected “cognitive disengagement syndrome” (CDS) to replace “SCT” as the name for this construct. This term was deemed to best satisfy considerations that should apply when selecting terms for a condition or syndrome, as it does not overlap with established terms for other constructs, is not offensive, and reflects the current state of the science.

Conclusion: It is evident that CDS (SCT) has reached the threshold of recognition as a distinct syndrome. Much work remains to further clarify its nature (eg, transdiagnostic factor, separate disorder, diagnostic specifier), etiologies, demographic factors, relations to other psychopathologies, and linkages to specific domains of functional impairment. Investigators are needed with interests and expertise spanning basic, clinical, and translational research to advance our understanding and to improve the lives of individuals with this unique syndrome.

Files

Metadata

Work Title Report of a Work Group on Sluggish Cognitive Tempo: Key Research Directions and a Consensus Change in Terminology to Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Stephen P. Becker
  2. Erik G. Willcutt
  3. Daniel R. Leopold
  4. Joseph W. Fredrick
  5. Zoe R. Smith
  6. Lisa A. Jacobson
  7. G. Leonard Burns
  8. Susan D. Mayes
  9. Daniel A. Waschbusch
  10. Tanya E. Froehlich
  11. Keith McBurnett
  12. Mateu Servera
  13. Russell A. Barkley
Keyword
  1. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
  2. CDS
  3. Cognitive disengagement syndrome
  4. SCT
  5. Sluggish cognitive tempo
License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 (Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Publication Date May 25, 2023
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2022.07.821
Deposited June 18, 2025

Versions

Analytics

Collections

This resource is currently not in any collection.

Work History

Version 1
published

  • Created

    June 18, 2025 16:59 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Becker_et_al__2022_in_press__SCT_workgroup_in_press-1.pdf

    June 18, 2025 16:59 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Stephen P. Becker

    June 18, 2025 16:59 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Erik G. Willcutt

    June 18, 2025 16:59 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Daniel R. Leopold

    June 18, 2025 16:59 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Joseph W. Fredrick

    June 18, 2025 16:59 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Zoe R. Smith

    June 18, 2025 16:59 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Lisa A. Jacobson

    June 18, 2025 16:59 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator G. Leonard Burns

    June 18, 2025 16:59 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Susan D. Mayes

    June 18, 2025 16:59 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Daniel A. Waschbusch

    June 18, 2025 16:59 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Tanya E. Froehlich

    June 18, 2025 16:59 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Keith McBurnett

    June 18, 2025 16:59 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Mateu Servera

    June 18, 2025 16:59 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Russell A. Barkley

    June 18, 2025 16:59 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Published

    June 18, 2025 16:59 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Updated

    June 18, 2025 22:06 by [unknown user]

  • Updated Keyword, Publisher, Description, and 1 more Show Changes

    July 18, 2025 14:07 by avs5190

    Keyword
    • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, CDS, Cognitive disengagement syndrome, SCT, Sluggish cognitive tempo
    Publisher
    • Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry
    • Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
    Description
    • Objective: The aim of this work was 2-fold: (1) to evaluate current knowledge and identify key directions in the study of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT); and (2) to arrive at a consensus change in terminology for the construct that reflects the current science and may be more acceptable to researchers, clinicians, caregivers, and patients. Method: An international Work Group was convened that, in early 2021, compiled an online archive of all research studies on SCT and summarized the current state of knowledge, noted methodological issues, and highlighted future directions, and met virtually on 10 occasions in 2021 to discuss these topics and terminology. Results: Major progress has been made over the last decade in advancing our understanding of SCT across the following domains of inquiry: construct measurement and stability; genetic, environmental, pathophysiologic, and neuropsychological correlates; comorbid conditions; functional impairments; and psychosocial and medication interventions. Findings across these domains are summarized, and potential avenues to pursue in the next generation of SCT-related research are proposed. Following repeated discussions on terminology, the Work Group selected “cognitive disengagement syndrome” (CDS) to replace “SCT” as the name for this construct. This term was deemed to best satisfy considerations that should apply when selecting terms for a condition or syndrome, as it does not overlap with established terms for other constructs, is not offensive, and reflects the current state of the science. Conclusion: It is evident that CDS (SCT) has reached the threshold of recognition as a distinct syndrome. Much work remains to further clarify its nature (eg, transdiagnostic factor, separate disorder, diagnostic specifier), etiologies, demographic factors, relations to other psychopathologies, and linkages to specific domains of functional impairment. Investigators are needed with interests and expertise spanning basic, clinical, and translational research to advance our understanding and to improve the lives of individuals with this unique syndrome.
    • Objective: The aim of this work was 2-fold: (1) to evaluate current knowledge and identify key directions in the study of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT); and (2) to arrive at a consensus change in terminology for the construct that reflects the current science and may be more acceptable to researchers, clinicians, caregivers, and patients.
    • Method: An international Work Group was convened that, in early 2021, compiled an online archive of all research studies on SCT and summarized the current state of knowledge, noted methodological issues, and highlighted future directions, and met virtually on 10 occasions in 2021 to discuss these topics and terminology.
    • Results: Major progress has been made over the last decade in advancing our understanding of SCT across the following domains of inquiry: construct measurement and stability; genetic, environmental, pathophysiologic, and neuropsychological correlates; comorbid conditions; functional impairments; and psychosocial and medication interventions. Findings across these domains are summarized, and potential avenues to pursue in the next generation of SCT-related research are proposed. Following repeated discussions on terminology, the Work Group selected “cognitive disengagement syndrome” (CDS) to replace “SCT” as the name for this construct. This term was deemed to best satisfy considerations that should apply when selecting terms for a condition or syndrome, as it does not overlap with established terms for other constructs, is not offensive, and reflects the current state of the science.
    • Conclusion: It is evident that CDS (SCT) has reached the threshold of recognition as a distinct syndrome. Much work remains to further clarify its nature (eg, transdiagnostic factor, separate disorder, diagnostic specifier), etiologies, demographic factors, relations to other psychopathologies, and linkages to specific domains of functional impairment. Investigators are needed with interests and expertise spanning basic, clinical, and translational research to advance our understanding and to improve the lives of individuals with this unique syndrome.
    Publication Date
    • 2022-01-01
    • 2023-05-25