Effects of Test Anxiety and Sex of Subject on Neuropsychological Test Peformance: Finger Tapping, Trail Making, Digit Span and Digit Symbol Tests

1983 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 923-929 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernest L. Chavez ◽  
Gregory M. Trautt ◽  
Allan Brandon ◽  
James Steyaert
Keyword(s):  
Test Anxiety ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Neuropsychological Tests ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Finger Tapping ◽  
Digit Symbol ◽  
Trail Making ◽  
Finger Tapping Test ◽  
High Test

To determine the effects of anxiety and sex on various neuropsychological tests, 28 male and 28 female non-impaired, high and low test-anxious subjects were given the Finger Tapping, Trail Making (Forms A and B), Digit Span, and Digit Symbol tests. Sex significantly affected only the Finger Tapping Test; females made significantly fewer taps. High test-anxious subjects reported an increase in posttest state anxiety. However, test anxiety did not significantly affect performance.

Latent Structure of a Brief Clinical Battery of Neuropsychological Tests Administered In-Home Via Telephone

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasia Matchanova ◽  
Michelle A Babicz ◽  
Luis D Medina ◽  
Samina Rahman ◽  
Briana Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functions ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
Neuropsychological Tests ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Neuropsychological Battery ◽  
Memory And Attention ◽  
Sociodemographic Correlates ◽  
List Learning ◽  
Trail Making

Abstract Objective To examine the factor structure and sociodemographic correlates of a battery of clinical neuropsychological tests administered in-home and via telephone. Method Participants included 280 healthy adults who completed a 35–40 min battery consisting of seven auditory-verbal neuropsychological tests (i.e., 10 variables) that included digit span, list learning and memory, prospective memory, verbal fluency, and oral trail making. Results After removing oral trail making part A, a three-factor model comprised of executive functions, memory and attention demonstrated the best fit to the data. Nevertheless, the shared variance between the nine remaining neuropsychological variables was also adequately explained by a single-factor model and a two-factor model comprised of executive functions and memory. Factor scores were variably associated with education, race/ethnicity, and IQ, but not with sex or age. Conclusions Findings provide preliminary support for the feasibility and factor structure and sociodemographic correlates of a brief telephone-based screening neuropsychological battery comprised mostly of commonly administered clinical measures. Future studies are needed to determine the test–retest reliability, sensitivity, and ecological relevance of this battery, as well as equivalency to in-person assessment.

scholarly journals How do we measure attention? Using factor analysis to establish construct validity of neuropsychological tests

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Treviño ◽  
Xiaoshu Zhu ◽  
Yi Yi Lu ◽  
Luke S. Scheuer ◽  
Eliza Passell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Visual Search ◽  
Object Tracking ◽  
Visual Working Memory ◽  
Neuropsychological Tests ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Digit Symbol ◽  
Attentional Capacity ◽  
Spatial Span

AbstractWe investigated whether standardized neuropsychological tests and experimental cognitive paradigms measure the same cognitive faculties. Specifically, do neuropsychological tests commonly used to assess attention measure the same construct as attention paradigms used in cognitive psychology and neuroscience? We built on the “general attention factor”, comprising several widely used experimental paradigms (Huang et al., 2012). Participants (n = 636) completed an on-line battery (TestMyBrain.org) of six experimental tests [Multiple Object Tracking, Flanker Interference, Visual Working Memory, Approximate Number Sense, Spatial Configuration Visual Search, and Gradual Onset Continuous Performance Task (Grad CPT)] and eight neuropsychological tests [Trail Making Test versions A & B (TMT-A, TMT-B), Digit Symbol Coding, Forward and Backward Digit Span, Letter Cancellation, Spatial Span, and Arithmetic]. Exploratory factor analysis in a subset of 357 participants identified a five-factor structure: (1) attentional capacity (Multiple Object Tracking, Visual Working Memory, Digit Symbol Coding, Spatial Span), (2) search (Visual Search, TMT-A, TMT-B, Letter Cancellation); (3) Digit Span; (4) Arithmetic; and (5) Sustained Attention (GradCPT). Confirmatory analysis in 279 held-out participants showed that this model fit better than competing models. A hierarchical model where a general cognitive factor was imposed above the five specific factors fit as well as the model without the general factor. We conclude that Digit Span and Arithmetic tests should not be classified as attention tests. Digit Symbol Coding and Spatial Span tap attentional capacity, while TMT-A, TMT-B, and Letter Cancellation tap search (or attention-shifting) ability. These five tests can be classified as attention tests.

scholarly journals Applicability of the Test of Variables of Attention – T.O.V.A in Brazilian adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 394-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cláudia M. Memória ◽  
Henrique C.S. Muela ◽  
Natália C. Moraes ◽  
Valéria A. Costa-Hong ◽  
Michel F. Machado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Performance Test ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Digit Symbol ◽  
Cognitive Screening ◽  
Or Education ◽  
Attentional Processes ◽  
Trail Making ◽  
State Examination

ABSTRACT The functioning of attention is complex, a primordial function in several cognitive processes and of great interest to neuropsychology. The Test of Variables of Attention (T.O.V.A) is a continuous computerized performance test that evaluates some attention components such as response time to a stimulus and errors due to inattention and impulsivity. Objective: 1) To evaluate the applicability of T.O.V.A in Brazilian adults; 2) To analyze the differences in performance between genders, age ranges, and levels of education; 3) To examine the association between T.O.V.A variables and other attention and cognitive screening tests. Methods: The T.O.V.A was applied to 63 healthy adults (24 to 78 years of age) who also underwent the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Digit Span and Digit Symbol (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Adults – WAIS-III) and the Trail Making Test. Results: the T.O.V.A was little influenced by age or education, but was influenced by gender. The correlations between some T.O.V.A variables and the Digit Symbol and Trail Making test were weak (r-values between 0.2 and 0.4), but significant (p<0.05). There was no correlation with the Digit Span test. Conclusion: The T.O.V.A showed good applicability and proved adequate for evaluating attentional processes in adults.

Neuropsychological function in bulimia with comorbid borderline personality disorder and depression

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 162-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia M. Bourke ◽  
Richard J. Porter ◽  
Patrick Sullivan ◽  
Cynthia M. Bulik ◽  
Frances A. Carter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Borderline Personality Disorder ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Neuropsychological Tests ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Borderline Personality ◽  
Neuropsychological Function ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Trail Making ◽  
The Impact

Background:In bulimia nervosa (BN), borderline personality disorder (BPD) and major depression (MDD) are frequently comorbid conditions. Executive function has been found to be impaired in BPD and MDD, but the impact of comorbidity on neuropsychological function has rarely been investigated.Objective:To investigate neuropsychological function in BN with a focus on comorbid BPD and MDD.Methods:One hundred forty-four medication-free female patients entering a study of psychological treatments for BN performed a brief battery of neuropsychological tests. Comorbid MDD and BPD were systematically identified using standard interviews. Neuropsychological test results were compared.Results:Forty-one subjects had comorbid BPD and 35 had comorbid MDD, while 15 had both. There was no effect of comorbid MDD, but there was a significant effect of BPD and a significant interaction between the diagnosis of MDD and BPD on executive tasks (trail making and Stroop). Thus, compared with subjects without BPD, subjects with BPD performed significantly worse on tests of executive function, while the group with both comorbidities performed even worse.Conclusions:There appears to be an additive effect of BPD and MDD resulting in impaired executive neuropsychological function. Future studies on either disorder and on BN should examine and account for the effect of comorbidity.

THE EFFECTS OF AGE AND GENDER ON FINGER TAPPING SPEED IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haris Memisevic ◽  
Indira Mahmutovic ◽  
Arnela Pasalic ◽  
Inga Ibralic Biscevic
Keyword(s):  
Motor Control ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Finger Tapping ◽  
Motor Deficits ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Age And Gender ◽  
Finger Tapping Test ◽  
And Gender

Background: The assessment of children’s motor control is very important in detecting potential motor deficits. The Finger Tapping Test (FTT) is a widely used test in various clinical and non-clinical populations. FTT is a neuropsychological test designed to measure motor control. Age and gender are significant pre - dictors of finger tapping speed in school-aged children. The goal of the present study was to determine the effects of age and gender on finger tapping speed in preschool children. Material/Methods: The sample for this study included 111 preschool children, aged 3 to 6 years (mean age- 4.6; SD- 0.9), of both genders (59 boys, 52 girls). As a measure of finger tapping speed we used the Finger Tapping Test from the Psychology Experi -ment Building Language (PEBL). Results: The results of this study found a significant effect of age on finger tapping speed. Contrary to the existing studies, there was no gender effect on the tapping speed in preschoolers. A one way analysis of variance showed that older children performed significantly better than younger children Conclusions:There is a linear trend of improved performance on FTT with an increasing age. The child’s gender was not a significant predictor of FTT for preschool children. Motor control and speed can be improved through exercise.

Effect of buprenorphine on psychomotor functions in patients on buprenorphine maintenance

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ankush Singhal, MBBS, MD, MRCPsych ◽  
B.M. Tripathi, MBBS, MD, MRCPsych ◽  
Hem Raj Pal, MBBS, MD ◽  
Renuka Jena, PhD ◽  
Raka Jain, MSc, PhD, Cchem, FRSC
Keyword(s):  
Psychomotor Performance ◽  
Maintenance Dose ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Practice Effect ◽  
Digit Symbol Substitution Test ◽  
Digit Symbol ◽  
Digit Symbol Substitution ◽  
Symbol Substitution ◽  
Trail Making

Objective: Patients on buprenorphine maintenance for opioid dependence often abuse its additional doses over and above the maintenance dose. Being a psychoactive agent, it may affect psychomotor performance with all its consequences, for example, effect on quality of life. This study was conducted to assess the effects of its additional doses on psychomotor performance in patients who are maintained on it.Design and Setting: This was an interventional study, carried out in an in-patient setting in a tertiary care national drug dependence treatment center.Participants: It included 19 subjects maintained on buprenorphine, 4 mg/d (s/L) for at least a month.Intervention: Maintenance dose was followed by three administrations of buprenorphine, 2 mg, at two hourly intervals (cumulative dose design).Main Outcome Measures: Subjects were assessed on digit symbol substitution test, trail making, digit span, and delayed recall, after each administration and the next morning. Results: Performance of subjects on Digit Symbol Substitution Test (χ2 = 52.98, p < 0.000) and Trail Making Test-A (χ2 = 26.29, p < 0.000) and B (χ2 = 42.08, p < 0.000) improved significantly with each assessment while other tests were unaffected.Conclusions: Improvement in psychomotor performance (which could be true effect of drug itself or a result of other factors, eg, inadequate maintenance dose or practice effect) though contrasting with some of the earlier findings, does have significant clinical implications regarding the long-term use of buprenorphine. It would be worthwhile repeating this type of study in a placebo controlled design to further verify the results.

Response Time and Test Anxiety

1974 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 479-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigmund Tobias ◽  
John J. Hedl ◽  
Nelson J. Towle
Keyword(s):  
Response Time ◽  
Test Anxiety ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Response Latencies ◽  
High Anxious ◽  
Latency Analysis ◽  
High Test ◽  
And Task

This study sought to test the interpretation that high test-anxiety students performed more poorly on difficult material because they divided their attention between personally relevant and task-relevant concerns more than did low-anxiety individuals. It was reasoned that such division of attention ought to require more time for high-anxious students on difficult items and hence result in longer response latencies. A mathematical test containing both easy and difficult items was administered to 80 students on computer terminals. Results indicated that high-anxious students performed more poorly on the difficult items than low-anxious students. High-anxious students had higher levels of state anxiety during the testing than the low-anxious students. The latency analysis, however, failed to confirm the hypotheses.

scholarly journals Age-Related Differences in Neuropsychological Testing Among High School Athletes

2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 405-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamerah N. Hunt ◽  
Michael S. Ferrara
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Neuropsychological Tests ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
High School Athletes ◽  
Neuropsychological Test Battery ◽  
9Th Grade ◽  
Trail Making ◽  
Baseline Testing

Abstract Clinicians have questioned the need to obtain annual baseline neuropsychological tests in high school athletes. If no difference among academic grades exists, annual baseline testing may not be necessary.Context: To examine differences at baseline testing on pencil-and-paper neuropsychological tests among grade levels in high school athletes.Objective: Cross-sectional, between-groups design.Design: Schools participating in a Georgia high school athletics association.Setting: High school football players (n  =  198) in the 9th through 12th grades, with a mean age of 15.78 ± 1.16 years.Patients or Other Participants: Participants were divided into 4 groups by grade and were administered a symptom checklist and brief neuropsychological test battery. Grade level served as the independent variable. Symptom and individual test scores within the neuropsychological test battery served as dependent variables.Main Outcome Measure(s): Differences were noted among grades on the Trail Making Test A (F3,194  =  3.23, P  =  .024, η2  =  0.048), Trail Making Test B (F3,194  =  3.93, P  =  .009, η2  =  0.057), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (F3,194  =  4.38, P  =  .005, η2  =  0.064), dominant tap (F3,194  =  3.14, P  =  .026, η2  =  0.046), and nondominant tap (F3,194  =  4.902, P  =  .003, η2  =  0.070). Using the Bonferroni correction (P ≤ .00625), we found differences between the 9th grade and 11th and 12th grades.Results: Baseline neuropsychological test scores in high school athletes improved as a function of age, with differences between the 9th grade and 11th and 12th grades. Because the differences were driven by 9th-grade test scores, baseline testing should be completed, at minimum, upon entrance into 9th and 10th grades; however, annual testing is still recommended until additional research is conducted.Conclusions:

scholarly journals Cognitive Functions across the GNB3C825TPolymorphism in an Elderly Italian Population

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edoardo Casiglia ◽  
Nunzia Giordano ◽  
Valérie Tikhonoff ◽  
Giovanni Boschetti ◽  
Alberto Mazza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Neuropsychological Tests ◽  
Mini Mental State Examination ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Italian Population ◽  
Test Figure ◽  
Elderly Men ◽  
Trail Making ◽  
Figure Drawing ◽  
State Examination

To verify whether theC825Tpolymorphism of the GNB3 influences the response to neuropsychological tests, mini-mental state examination, digit span (DS), immediate and delayed prose memory, memory with interference at 10 and 30 seconds (MI 10 and 30), trail making tests (TMTs) A and B, abstraction task, verbal fluency (VF) test, figure drawing and copying, overlapping figures test and clock test were performed in 220 elderly men and women free from clinical dementia and from neurological and psychiatric diseases randomly taken from the Italian general population and analysed across theC825Tpolymorphism. The performance of DS, immediate and delayed prose memory, VF, and TMTs was worse in subjects who were TT for the polymorphism in comparison to the C-carriers. The performance of all tests declined with age. In the case of DS, immediate and delayed prose memory, MI 10 and VF, this trend was maintained in the C-carriers but not in TT. In the case of prose memory, of memory with interference, and of VF, schooling reduced the detrimental interaction between age and genotype. TheC825Tpolymorphism of GNB3 gene therefore influences memory and verbal fluency, being additive to the effects of age and partially mitigated by schooling.

Validation of a Battery of Neuropsychological Tests for Patients With Metastatic Cancer

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 607-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Y. Matuoka ◽  
Geana P. Kurita ◽  
Mie Nordly ◽  
Per Sjøgren ◽  
Cibele A. de Mattos-Pimenta
Keyword(s):  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Neuropsychological Tests ◽  
Concurrent Validity ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Good Reliability ◽  
Finger Tapping Test

This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of Trail Making Test (TMT), Continuous Reaction Time (CRT), Finger Tapping Test (FTT), Digit Span Test (DST), and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in Brazilian patients with metastatic cancer. Cognitive performance of 178 patients with metastatic cancer and 79 controls was assessed using the TMT, CRT, FTT, DST, and MMSE. Discriminant validity, concurrent validity, and reliability (39 patients were retested after 3-7 days) were investigated. Discriminant validity between groups was observed in TMT, DST, and MMSE. Measures of concurrent validity and cognitive performance were positively correlated with physical performance, education level, and better performance on MMSE. Negative correlations were observed between cognitive function, pain, anxiety, and depression. All tests but FTT demonstrated very good reliability. Thus, all neuropsychological tests but FTT showed psychometric properties that permit their use in clinical and research purposes in patients with metastatic cancer.

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