Reaction Times of Preschool Children on the Ruler Drop Test: A Cross-Sectional Study With Reference Values

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Human Biology

Background:

• Reaction time (RT) is a key indicator of cognitive function, with slower RTs potentially linked to various neurological conditions.
• The ruler drop test (RDT) is a common tool for assessing RT, but normative data across different demographics is crucial for accurate interpretation.
• Understanding age and gender-specific RT variations in early childhood is essential for identifying developmental trajectories and potential concerns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish norm-referenced reaction time (RT) data for Spanish preschool children using the ruler drop test (RDT).
• To investigate age-related differences in RT among preschool children.
• To examine gender-based differences in RT performance in this age group.

Main Methods:

• A large cohort of 3,741 Spanish preschool children (ages 4-5 years) from 51 schools participated.
• Reaction time was measured using the ruler drop test (RDT), collecting data for both right and left hands.
• Normative mean RDT values were calculated and expressed in percentiles, stratified by gender and age.

Main Results:

• Reaction time performance improved with increasing age, particularly from the age of five years.
• Girls exhibited significantly slower reaction times compared to boys at ages 4 (p=.032) and 5 (p=.001).
• Normative percentile data for RDT performance, by hand, gender, and age, were established.

Conclusions:

• The study provides valuable normative data for the ruler drop test (RDT) in Spanish preschool children.
• Identified gender differences suggest girls aged 4 and 5 may have slower reaction times than boys.
• Findings highlight the importance of age- and gender-specific considerations when interpreting RT in early childhood development.