Normative data on trail making test for neurologically normal, Chinese-speaking adults

Area of Science:

• Neuropsychology
• Cognitive Assessment
• Psychometrics

Background:

• The Trail Making Test (Trails A and B) is a widely used neuropsychological tool.
• Normative data is crucial for accurate interpretation of cognitive test performance.
• The Chinese version of Trail Making Test Part B (C-Trails B) requires specific normative data for the Chinese population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish normative data for the Trail Making Test Part A and the Chinese version of the Trail Making Test Part B (C-Trails B).
• To investigate the influence of demographic factors (age, education, gender) on C-Trails B performance.
• To examine the correlation between C-Trails B and the Digit Symbol-Coding subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition.

Main Methods:

• 110 adult participants (aged 21-75) completed the Trail Making Test Part A and C-Trails B.
• Demographic data including age, education, and gender were collected.
• Statistical analyses were performed to determine normative data and associations between variables.

Main Results:

• No significant gender effects were observed on test scores.
• Both age and years of education were significantly associated with performance on Trails A and C-Trails B (p < .01).
• A high positive correlation (Pearson r = .69) was found between C-Trails B and the Digit Symbol-Coding subtest.

Conclusions:

• The C-Trails B demonstrates potential equivalence to the standard Trails B, supported by its correlation with the Digit Symbol-Coding subtest.
• Normative data for C-Trails B should be adjusted for both age and education levels in Chinese-speaking adults.
• These findings underscore the importance of culturally and demographically appropriate normative data in neuropsychological assessments.