Two-factor structure of the Comprehensive Trail-making Test in adults

Area of Science:

• Neuropsychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Psychometrics

Background:

• Previous confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the Comprehensive Trail-Making Test (CTMT) in children suggested a two-factor model.
• The validity of this two-factor structure for adult populations remained unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the factor structure of the CTMT in adults.
• To determine if the two-factor model observed in children applies to adult executive functioning.
• To assess the suitability of a composite score versus a two-factor model for adults.

Main Methods:

• Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed on adult standardization sample data.
• All five trails tasks of the CTMT were utilized in the analysis.
• Analyses were conducted using M-plus software.

Main Results:

• The two-factor model demonstrated an excellent fit for the adult CTMT data.
• A one-factor structure, representing a composite score, was not supported by the analysis.
• These findings remained consistent across younger and older adult age groups.

Conclusions:

• The CTMT's factor structure in adults supports a two-factor model, not a single composite score.
• Executive functioning, as measured by the CTMT, is better represented by distinct factors: attention/sequencing and set switching/inhibition.
• A single score may not accurately capture the complexity of adult executive functioning measured by the CTMT.