Evaluation of reliability of traditional and computerized neurobehavioral tests

Most Korean blue-collar workers are taking government-mandated medical screening periodically. The periodic neurobehavioral test provides a great chance to evaluate the functional change of the central nervous system. To utilize periodic neurobehavioral tests effectively, the reliability of currently used neurobehavioral tests needs to be evaluated. Test-retest of neurobehavioral tests were conducted to evaluate the reliability of neurobehavioral tests that are commonly used for Korean workers. The test-retest of five computerized tests, simple reaction time, additions, symbol digit, digit span, and finger tapping speed, and five traditional tests, Benton visual retention, digit symbol, digit span, pursuit aiming, and pegboard, were administered to 85 college students and 35 hospital workers over a 1 month interval. Computerized additions was found to have the highest test-retest reliability coefficient (r=0.90), followed by finger tapping speed (nondominant hand, r=0.89; dominant hand, r=0.85), symbol digit (r=0.82), and digit span (r=0.74). However, only two traditional tests, digit symbol (r=0.86) and pursuit aiming (r=0.72), showed a reliability coefficient greater than 0.70. These results suggest that the computerized additions, symbol digit, finger tapping speed, and traditional digit symbol are more satisfactory for periodical evaluation of the central nervous system of workers exposed to neurotoxic substances in Korea.