Normative Data for Two Working Memory Tasks in Spanish-Speaking US-Dwelling Adults
Abstract Objective Working memory assessment is an important component of a neuropsychological evaluation. The Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT) and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – Third Edition Letter Number Sequencing subtest (LNS) are two commonly used measures of working memory. Demographic variables (age, education, ethnicity, and country of origin) can impact performance on these measures, underscoring the need for demographically adjusted norms when utilizing these tests. We aimed to develop normative data for the PASAT and LNS for Spanish-speaking adults living in the US. Participants and Method The PASAT and LNS were administered to Spanish-speaking adults living in the US-Mexico border regions of California and Arizona as part of a larger normative effort in this population. Two hundred and forty-nine participants completed the PASAT and a subset (n = 202) also completed LNS. Ages ranged from 19-60 and education from 0-20 years. Results Older age was associated with lower scores on LNS (p < .01), but not the PASAT. Lower education was associated with lower scores on both tests (ps < .001). Females obtained lower raw scores than males on the PASAT (ps < .003), and there were no significant main effects of gender on LNS raw scores. Raw-to-scaled score conversions were calculated for the PASAT-50 item, PASAT-200 item, and LNS, and fractional polynomial equations were developed to calculate demographically-adjusted T-scores accounting for age, education, and gender. Published norms for English-speaking non-Hispanic Whites drastically overestimated rates of impairment (defined as T-score < 40) on both the PASAT and LNS. Conclusions The use of the population-specific normative data may improve detection of working memory dysfunction in Spanish-speaking adults living in the US and contribute to improved diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning in this population.