Diagnostic Accuracy, Sensitivity, and Specificity of Executive Function Tests in Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury in Ghana

Assessment ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 498-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Adjorlolo
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Word Association ◽  
Stroop Test ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Word Association Test ◽  
Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Trail Making ◽  
Sub Saharan

The sociocultural differences between Western and sub-Saharan African countries make it imperative to standardize neuropsychological tests in the latter. However, Western-normed tests are frequently administered in sub-Saharan Africa because of challenges hampering standardization efforts. Yet a salient topical issue in the cross-cultural neuropsychology literature relates to the utility of Western-normed neuropsychological tests in minority groups, non-Caucasians, and by extension Ghanaians. Consequently, this study investigates the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of executive function (EF) tests (The Stroop Test, Trail Making Test, and Controlled Oral Word Association Test), and a Revised Quick Cognitive Screening Test (RQCST) in a sample of 50 patients diagnosed with moderate traumatic brain injury and 50 healthy controls in Ghana. The EF test scores showed good diagnostic accuracy, with area under the curve (AUC) values of the Trail Making Test scores ranging from .746 to .902. With respect to the Stroop Test scores, the AUC values ranged from .793 to .898, while Controlled Oral Word Association Test had AUC value of .787. The RQCST scores discriminated between the groups, with AUC values ranging from .674 to .912. The AUC values of composite EF score and a neuropsychological score created from EF and RQCST scores were .936 and. 942, respectively. Additionally, the Stroop Test, Trail Making Test, EF composite score, and RQCST scores showed good to excellent sensitivities and specificities. In general, this study has shown that commonly used EF tests in Western countries have diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity when administered in Ghanaian samples. The findings and implications of the study are discussed.

scholarly journals Age-Related Differences and Reliability on Computerized and Paper-and-Pencil Neurocognitive Assessment Batteries

2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johna K. Register-Mihalik ◽  
Daniel L. Kontos ◽  
Kevin M. Guskiewicz ◽  
Jason P. Mihalik ◽  
Robert Conder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Student ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
Stroop Test ◽  
Composite Score ◽  
Practice Effects ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Trail Making

Context: Neurocognitive testing is a recommended component in a concussion assessment. Clinicians should be aware of age and practice effects on these measures to ensure appropriate understanding of results. Objective: To assess age and practice effects on computerized and paper-and-pencil neurocognitive testing batteries in collegiate and high school athletes. Design: Cohort study. Setting: Classroom and laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Participants consisted of 20 collegiate student-athletes (age  =  20.00 ± 0.79 years) and 20 high school student-athletes (age  =  16.00 ± 0.86 years). Main Outcome Measure(s): Hopkins Verbal Learning Test scores, Brief Visual-Spatial Memory Test scores, Trail Making Test B total time, Symbol Digit Modalities Test score, Stroop Test total score, and 5 composite scores from the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) served as outcome measures. Mixed-model analyses of variance were used to examine each measure. Results: Collegiate student-athletes performed better than high school student-athletes on ImPACT processing speed composite score (F1,38  =  5.03, P  =  .031) at all time points. No other age effects were observed. The Trail Making Test B total time (F2,66  =  73.432, P < .001), Stroop Test total score (F2,76  =  96.85, P  =  < .001) and ImPACT processing speed composite score (F2,76  =  5.81, P  =  .005) improved in test sessions 2 and 3 compared with test session 1. Intraclass correlation coefficient calculations demonstrated values ranging from 0.12 to 0.72. Conclusions: An athlete's neurocognitive performance may vary across sessions. It is important for clinicians to know the reliability and precision of these tests in order to properly interpret test scores.

scholarly journals Free-Weight Resistance Exercise Is More Effective in Enhancing Inhibitory Control than Machine-Based Training: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Wilke ◽  
Vanessa Stricker ◽  
Susanne Usedly
Keyword(s):  
Digit Span ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Stroop Test ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Word Condition ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Digit Span Test ◽  
Span Test ◽  
Free Weight ◽  
Trail Making

Resistance exercise has been demonstrated to improve brain function. However, the optimal workout characteristics are a matter of debate. This randomized, controlled trial aimed to elucidate differences between free-weight (REfree) and machine-based (REmach) training with regard to their ability to acutely enhance cognitive performance (CP). A total of n = 46 healthy individuals (27 ± 4 years, 26 men) performed a 45-min bout of REfree (military press, barbell squat, bench press) or REmach (shoulder press, leg press, chest press). Pre- and post-intervention, CP was examined using the Stroop test, Trail Making Test and Digit Span test. Mann–Whitney U tests did not reveal between-group differences for performance in the Digit Span test, Trail Making test and the color and word conditions of the Stroop test (p > 0.05). However, REfree was superior to REmach in the Stroop color-word condition (+6.3%, p = 0.02, R = 0.35). Additionally, REfree elicited pre-post changes in all parameters except for the Digit Span test and the word condition of the Stroop test while REmach only improved cognitive performance in part A of the Trail Making test. Using free weights seems to be the more effective RE method to acutely improve cognitive function (i.e., inhibitory control). The mechanisms of this finding merit further investigation.

Trail Making Test: Norms for College Males and Relationship to Scholastic Aptitude

1965 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 199-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis W. King ◽  
Thomas D. Bird
Keyword(s):  
Test Scores ◽  
Scholastic Aptitude Test ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Aptitude Test ◽  
College Males ◽  
Test Norms ◽  
Scholastic Aptitude ◽  
Male College ◽  
Trail Making

The Trail Making Test was administered to 201 male, college undergraduates who were waiting to be seen in an out-patient clinic. Correlations between the various Trail Making Test scores and the CEEB Scholastic Aptitude Test scores are reported. Since the performance of these students is quite different from the performance of Ss reported in other studies, normative tables are presented for male undergraduates.

DEPRESSION AND TRAIL MAKING TEST SCORES IN A SAMPLE OF COCAINE ABUSERS

2003 ◽  
Vol 113 (4) ◽  
pp. 595-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
ARTHUR MACNEILL HORTON, JR. ◽  
CHARLES ROBERTS
Keyword(s):  
Test Scores ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Trail Making

scholarly journals A-023 Comparison of Informant Reports of Daily Functioning to Objective Neurocognitive Performances: Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire versus Lawton Activities of Daily Living/Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 813-813
Author(s):  
Roberts C ◽  
King J
Keyword(s):  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Word Association ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Daily Functioning ◽  
Word Association Test ◽  
Instrumental Activities ◽  
Drawing Task ◽  
Trail Making ◽  
Learning Test

Abstract Objective Informant reports of daily functioning are often useful when assessing functional skill impairments in neuropsychological dementia evaluations, given potential biases with self-reporting from low insight and/or a reluctance to endorse reduced independence. Two measures of informant functional skill assessments were compared within patients relative to their objective neurocognitive performances. Method Participants included 19 (32% male, 68% female; 21% Hispanic, 69% Caucasian) outpatient older adult dementia evaluations aged 60 to 90 years (Mean age = 74, SD = 7.7) who were accompanied by a family member or caregiver informant. The Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire (ADLQ) and the Lawton Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADL/IADL) informant reports were compared relative to performances on the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test delayed recall trial (HVLT), Trail Making Test Part B (TMTB), CLOX: An Executive Clock Drawing Task (CLOX1), and the Controlled Oral Word Association Test, FAS and Animals (COWAT). Results Simple linear regression analyses indicated the ADLQ significantly predicted both TMTB (β = −.52, 95% CI [−.81, −.23], p < .01; R2 = .47) and HVLT (β = −.38, 95% CI [−.67, −.08], p < .01; R2 = .31) performances. The ADL/IADL scale significantly predicted TMTB performances (β = −.70, 95% CI [−1.1, −.30], p < .01; R2 = .46). A significant correlation was observed between ADLQ and ADL/IADL informant reports (r(17) = .60, p < .01). Conclusion There was a significant linear relationship between both ADLQ and ADL/IADL informant reports with TMTB performances. The ADLQ reports also significantly predicted HVLT performances. No significant relationships were observed between either ADLQ and ADL/IADL reports, and participants’ CLOX1 or COWAT FAS/Animals performances.

Cognitive Function Before and After Electroconvulsive Therapy in Patients with Major Depression

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s241-s242
Author(s):  
A. Tmava ◽  
I. Eicher ◽  
D.E. Seitz ◽  
S. Mörkl ◽  
C. Blesl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Electroconvulsive Therapy ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Stroop Test ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Trail Making ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
A Prospective Study

BackgroundDespite its high effectiveness, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is not a widely used method to treat depression. One of the reasons for this could be the fear of cognitive side effects. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of ECT on cognitive function.MethodsWe conducted a prospective study with a sample size of 23 patients (10 male), who met the criteria of treatment-resistant depression according to ICD–10 and gave their informed consent for ECT treatment. Before and after ECT, the following investigations have been performed: Beck depression inventory (BDI), Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale (MADRS), Mehrfachwahl-Wortschatz-Intelligenztest (MWT-B), trail making test (TMT) A and B, stroop-test, mini mental state examination (MMSE) and the German version of the California verbal learning test (MGT).ResultsAfter ECT treatment, we found highly significant changes of depression-scales BDI (P = 0.028) and MADR-Scale (P = 0.001). IQ as measured by the MWT-B (P = 0.851), executive functions as measured by trail making test A (P = 0.568) and B (P = 0.372) and stroop-test, memory functions as measured by the MGT (P = 0.565) (Figure 1) and MMSE (P = 0.678) did not differ significantly after ECT treatment.ConclusionThere were no significant differences in cognitive function before and after ECT treatment. To confirm these findings, it would be necessary to perform larger studies.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Trail Making Test Scores for Normal Children: Normative Data from Spain

1989 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 627-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Leòn-Carriòn
Keyword(s):  
Test Scores ◽  
Normative Data ◽  
Cultural Influences ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Normal Children ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Trail Making

The Trail Making Test for children was administered to 268 subjects between the ages of 10 and 15 yr. All subjects reported normal psychological histories. When responses were compared with those reported by Reitan in 1971 differences were noted between the two samples. The possibility that the test may not be free of cultural influences is contemplated. The results suggest the use of local normative data in interpreting the scores obtained on this test.

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