Practice effects distort translational validity estimates for a Neurocognitive Battery.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Biomedical Research

Background:

• Globalization and precision medicine necessitate translated neuropsychological tests for large-scale genomic studies.
• Translational validity is assessed using bilingual individuals and comparing test versions.
• This study focuses on translating the Penn computerized neurocognitive battery (Penn CNB) from English to Arabic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the translation of the Penn CNB into Arabic.
• To assess how practice effects influence the translational validity of the Arabic Penn CNB.
• To determine the suitability of the Arabic Penn CNB for research.

Main Methods:

• The English Penn CNB was translated into Arabic, back-translated, and revised.
• Bilingual participants (N=22) completed both English and Arabic versions in a randomized crossover design.
• Linear models were used to incorporate practice effect estimates.

Main Results:

• Performance generally improved in the second session, irrespective of the initial test language.
• Significant positive correlations were found between English and Arabic versions for accuracy (8/13 domains) and speed (4/13 domains).
• Controlling for practice effects substantially improved translational validity estimates (accuracy: r=.50-.96; speed: r=.63-.92).

Conclusions:

• Practice effects must be accounted for to accurately estimate translational validity, even with crossover designs.
• The Arabic Penn CNB demonstrates strong correlations with the English version when practice effects are controlled.
• The Arabic version of the Penn CNB is validated and suitable for research applications.