Italian Normative Data for the Original Version of the Tower of London Test: A Bivariate Analysis on Speed and Accuracy Scores

Assessment ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 107319112096183
Author(s):  
Francesca Bruni ◽  
Alessio Toraldo ◽  
Federica Scarpina

The Tower of London (ToL) test is traditionally used to assess strategical reasoning, problem-solving, and mental planning in clinical populations. Here, we provide the Italian standardization norms for the original, 12-problem version of the ToL test. The performance of 216 Italian individuals ranging 18 to 89 in age was scored in terms of both Time ( Speed) and Accuracy—the time, and the number of attempts, necessary to find a solution. We performed univariate analyses on separate Time and Accuracy scores, using Age in years, Education in years, and Sex (male vs. female) as predictors. z scores and equivalent scores were provided. Moreover, we performed a bivariate analysis for the assessment of individuals’ performance in terms of Time and Accuracy simultaneously. This standardization allows clinicians to use the original, most widespread version of ToL with the Italian population, thus optimizing comparability with other clinical and experimental research worldwide. Critically, this article offers a new statistical perspective on how Time and Accuracy scores, which are typically related to each other, can be combined to obtain a single, consistent clinical categorization that captures most of the information contained in the patient’s performance.

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6068-6068
Author(s):  
H. K. Gan ◽  
L. J. Bernstein ◽  
J. Brown ◽  
J. Ringash ◽  
M. Vakilha ◽  
...  

6068 Background: Evidence suggests cancer-related treatments affect cognition. To our knowledge, no studies have systematically investigated cognitive impairment in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients (pts). We assessed ten relapse-free HNC pts after curative-intent radiotherapy (RT), half of whom received cisplatin (Cp). Methods: Pts completed a 2-hr battery of tests/questionnaires assessing objective cognitive function (CF), subjective CF, quality of life and affect. Objective measures of CF were transformed to Z-scores (mean=0, standard deviation=1) using age normative data. A negative value for the Difference Score (DS=Z-score minus IQ score) in each tested domain indicates cognitive deterioration as IQ is a pre-morbid estimate of pts’ CF. A Global Deficit Score (GDS) was obtained by averaging the DS of all tested CF domains. Results: Pt demographics were: M:F=8:2; mean age=58 yrs(range 47–66); mean smoking pack yrs=15(0–45); mean drinks/week=7(0–25); mean IQ Z-score=+1.2(-1.0 to +2.0), mean school yrs=15 (6–18) and mean time post treatment=20 mo(9–41). All pts completed the battery within 2 hr. Nine participants appeared to have impaired CF based on negative DS and GDS scores ( Table 1 ). Exploratory univariate analyses showed trends that higher RT dose and Cp use were associated with increased impairment but cytokines, anemia, hormonal status and affective state were not. Conclusions: This feasibility study suggests cancer-related treatment affects cognition in HNC survivors. A longitudinal study is underway. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 212
Author(s):  
Dian Anisa Rokhmah Wati ◽  
Tukiran Tukiran ◽  
Muslimin Ibrahim

The main aim of this research are to describe (1) cognitive learning outcomes of students who were taught using the cognitive apprenticeship using reciprocal teaching (RT), scardamalia and bereiter’s F.W (SB), and schoenfeld problem solving (SPS) strategies and (2) metacognitive skill level of students who are taught using the cognitive apprenticeship with RT, SB, and SPS strategies. This type of research is experimental research using the static group pretest-posttest design consisting of three classes of experiments with different treatments. Research subjects are students of XI IPA 2 SMA Darul Ulum Unggulan BPPT Jombang by the number of each class of experiments is 22 students. Instruments used are in the form of test and questionnaire. Students' cognitive learning outcomes data obtained will be analyzed with one way ANOVA using SPSS 19 and questionnaire data will be described.The result of data analysis revealed that Ho is rejected and Hi is accepted. It means that there was differences in cognitive learning outcomes of students who were taught using the cognitive apprenticeship with RT, SB, and SPS strategies. Metacognitive skill level of individual students experiencing increased tendency for RT, SB, and SPS class, while the average grade of students' metacognitive skills is in grade 3, developing grade for RT and SB class, while grade of students' metacognitive skills is in grade 4, ok grage for SPS class. It can be concluded that the cognitive apprenticeship learning with SPS strategy can be used to teach metacognitive skills with more scaffolding and advised to use RT and SB strategies for suitable characteristics topic (reading and writing)Tujuan utama penelitian ini adalah untuk mendeskripsikan (1) Hasil belajar kognitif siswa yang diajarkan menggunakan magang kognitif dengan strategi reciprocal teaching (RT), scardamalia and bereiter’s F.W (SB), dan schoenfeld problem solving (SPS), (2) Tingkat keterampilan metakognitif siswa yang diajarkan menggunakan magang kognitif dengan strategi RT, SB, dan SPS. Jenis penelitian yang dilakukan adalah experimental research menggunakan static group pretest- postest design yang terdiri dari tiga kelas eksperimen dengan perlakuan yang berbeda-beda. Subjek penelitian yaitu siswa kelas XI IPA SMA Darul Ulum 2 Unggulan BPPT Jombang dengan jumlah masing-masing kelas eksperimen adalah 22 siswa. Instrumen yang digunakan berupa soal tes dan angket. Data hasil belajar kognitif siswa yang diperoleh akan dianalisis dengan anava satu jalur menggunakan SPSS 19 dan data angket akan dideskripsikan. Hasil analisis data menunjukkan terdapat perbedaan hasil belajar kognitif siswa yang diajar menggunakan magang kognitif dengan strategi RT, SB, dan SPS. Tingkat keterampilan metakognitif siswa secara individual mengalami kecendrungan meningkat untuk kelas RT, SB, dan SPS, sedangkan secara rata - rata kelas tingkat keterampilan metakognitif siswa berada pada tingkat 3 yaitu tingkat developing untuk kelas RT, dan SB, sedangkan untuk kelas SPS berada pada tingkat 4 yaitu tingkat ok. Disimpulkan bahwa pembelajaran magang kognitif dengan strategi SPS dapat digunakan untuk mengajarkan keterampilan metakognitif, dengan pendampingan yang lebih maksimal dan disarankan untuk menerapkan strategi RT dan SB pada topik yang memiliki karakteristik yang sesuai yaitu membaca dan menulis


2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (11) ◽  
pp. 2908-2920 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane L. Williams ◽  
Carla A. Mazefsky ◽  
Jon D. Walker ◽  
Nancy J. Minshew ◽  
Gerald Goldstein

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S152-S152
Author(s):  
Katsuhiko Hagi ◽  
Tadashi Nosaka ◽  
Andrei Pikalov

Abstract Background Schizophrenia is associated with cognitive dysfunction as well as cardiovascular disease (CVD). A central risk factor for CVD is the metabolic syndrome (MetS), which is of special concern in schizophrenia. The prevalence of MetS in U.S. patients with schizophrenia is higher versus general population (32.5% versus 23%). The prevalence of MetS and diabetes mellitus (DM) in those with schizophrenia double that of the general population. Adverse events of some antipsychotics used to treat schizophrenia include weight gain, obesity and other MetS complications, particularly abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism. Patients with schizophrenia have low rates of treatment for MetS and its components. Furthermore, components of MetS are risk factors for cognitive impairment and dementia in the general population. Cognitive impairment is a hallmark feature of schizophrenia, and the level of community functioning is strongly correlated with the degree of cognitive impairment. Given the importance of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia, the potential role of MetS in contributing to cognitive dysfunction is important. The objective of this post-hoc analysis was to examine cross-sectional relationships between metabolic syndrome and cognitive performance in patients with schizophrenia treated with lurasidone or quetiapine XR for 6-weeks. Methods This post hoc analysis utilized data from 6-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of patients with an acute exacerbation of schizophrenia who were randomized to fixed, once-daily oral doses of lurasidone 80 mg (LUR 80 n=125), lurasidone 160 mg (LUR 160, n=121), quetiapine XR 600 mg (QXR, n=120) and placebo (PBO, n=122). Patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) at baseline were identified based on the National Cholesterol Education Program – Adult Treatment Panel III criteria (NCEP-ATP-III). Cognitive performance and functional capacity were assessed by the CogState computerized cognitive battery at baseline and 6 weeks. Results In the acute 6-week period, LUR160 was significantly superior on the cognitive composite score to PBO (p<0.05, d=0.37), while LUR 80 and QXR did not separate from PBO in the evaluable analysis sample (excluding subjects with non-evaluable composite Z-scores; n=267). A total of 45/267 (16.9%) patients met criteria for MetS. Treatment of patients with MetS group with LUR 160 (vs placebo) was associated with significantly greater week 6 improvement in the cognitive composite score (p<0.05, d=1.15), while LUR 80 and QXR did not separate from PBO. In the group without MetS, LUR dose groups and QXR did not differ from PBO in the CogState composite score. In the analysis of cognitive domain scores, LUR 80 was significantly superior to PBO on working memory in the group with MetS (p<0.05, d=1.01) and reasoning/problem solving in the group without MetS (p<0.05, d=0.46). LUR 160 was significantly superior to PBO on processing speed in the group with MetS (p<0.05, d=1.20), reasoning/problem solving (p<0.05, d=0.45) and social cognition (p<0.05, d=0.46) in the group without MetS. QXR was significantly superior to PBO on verbal learning and reasoning/problem solving in the group without MetS (p<0.05, d=0.38 and p<0.05, d=0.37, respectively). Discussion Patients with MetS responded to treatment with lurasidone with significantly improved CogState composite and domain scores. No improvement on cognition was seen in patients with MetS treated with QXR. Evaluation of potential for MetS and improvements in cognition should be important elements in the algorithm of optimization of treatment in patients with schizophrenia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 240-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afaf Hamed Khalil ◽  
Marwa Abd el-Meguid ◽  
Mostafa Bastawy ◽  
Samah Rabei ◽  
Ramy Ali ◽  
...  

Introduction: Cognitive impairment is one of the fundamental features among patients with schizophrenia. The relationship between schizophrenia symptoms, insight and cognitive domains remains controversial. We aimed to study these relations in a sample of Egyptian patients with schizophrenia. Methods: A total of 109 patients with schizophrenia were assessed using Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV ( Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.)) Axis I diagnosis (SCID-I), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Scale to Assess Unawareness of Medical Disorder (SUMD). Cognitive functions were assessed using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS). The cognitive functions would be distributed to cover six cognitive domains: attention/vigilance speed of processing, verbal learning, visual learning, working memory and reasoning/problem solving. Results: There was a significant correlation between all cognitive domains (except attention) and PANSS subscales. PANSS negative and general psychopathology subscales were significantly correlated with five cognitive domains: speed of processing, verbal learning, visual learning, working memory and reasoning/problem solving. PANSS negative subscale was significantly correlated with verbal learning (verbal paired association 1) and visual learning (visual paired association 1). There was a significant correlation between all cognitive domains and SUMD, except verbal and visual learning domains assessed by verbal and visual paired association 1 subtests, as well as attention assessed by failure to maintain set subtest. Only visual learning (trials administered), working memory (percentage error), and processing speed (perseverative responses, and trials to complete first category) were significantly negatively correlated to SUMD. Conclusion: Cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia is most likely to underlie negative symptoms, general psychopathology symptoms and poor insight, suggesting that treatment strategies minimizing these symptoms would improve cognitive impairment.


2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 453-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Gamboz ◽  
Emanuele Coluccia ◽  
Alessandro Iavarone ◽  
Maria A. Brandimonte

2000 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 894-907 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy L. Hodgson ◽  
Adnan Bajwa ◽  
Adrian M. Owen ◽  
Christopher Kennard

In this paper, we describe a novel approach to the study of problem solving involving the detailed analysis of natural scanning eye movements during the “one-touch” Tower-of-London (TOL) task. We showed subjects a series of pictures depicting two arrangements of colored balls in pockets within the uper and lower halves of a computer display. The task was to plan (but not to execute)the shortest movement sequence required to rearrange the balls in one half of the display (the workspace)to match the arrangement in the opposite half (the Goalspace)and indicate the minimum number of moves required for problem solution. We report that subjects are more likely to look towards the Goalspace in the initial period after picture presentation, but bias gaze towards the Workspace during the middle of trials. Towards the end of a trial, subjects are once again more likely to fixate the Goalspace. This pattern is found regardless of whether the subjects solve problems by rearranging the balls in the lower or uper visual fields, demonstrating that this strategy correlates with discreate phases in problem solving. A second experiment showed that efficient planners direct their gaze selectively towards the problem critical balls in the workspace. In contrast, Individuals who make errors spend more time looking at irrelevant items and are strongly influenced by the movement strategy needed to solve the preceding problem. We conclude that efficient solution of the TOL requires the capacity to generate and flexibly shift between control sets, including those underlying ocular scanning. The role of working memory and the prefrontal cerebral cortex in the task are discussed.


2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1103-1114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuele Coluccia ◽  
Nadia Gamboz ◽  
Maria A. Brandimonte

2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 402-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young-eun C Lee ◽  
Jacqueline FI Anderson ◽  
Lorraine Dennerstein ◽  
Victor W Henderson ◽  
Cassandra Szoeke

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