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Construct Validity of the Multi-Source Interference Task to Examine Attention in Heart Failure
Miyeon Jung1, John Jonides, Marc G Berman
1Miyeon Jung, PhD, RN, is Assistant Professor, Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis. John Jonides, PhD, is Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Marc G. Berman, PhD, is Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Chicago, Illinois. Laurel Northouse, PhD, RN, FAAN, is Professor Emerita, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor. Todd M. Koelling, MD, is Professor, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Susan J. Pressler, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAHA, is Professor, Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis.
Insights
Patients with heart failure (HF) show impaired directed attention, as measured by the Multi-Source Interference Task (MSIT). This study validated MSIT for use in HF patients, finding it sensitive to cognitive deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Heart failure (HF) patients are susceptible to cognitive dysfunction, particularly diminished directed attention.
- Directed attention is crucial for self-care in HF, enabling adherence to instructions amidst conflicting stimuli.
- The Multi-Source Interference Task (MSIT) assesses directed attention via the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex but hasn't been applied to HF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the construct validity of the MSIT in individuals with heart failure.
Main Methods:
- Compared MSIT performance between 22 HF patients and 20 healthy adults.
- Used t tests for group differences and congruent/incongruent trial analysis.
- Computed Pearson's correlations with Trail-Making Test, Stroop Test, and Attentional Function Index.
Main Results:
- HF patients exhibited poorer MSIT performance (slower responses, more errors) than controls.
- HF patients showed greater deficits on incongruent MSIT trials.
- MSIT interference scores correlated with perceived attention (Attentional Function Index) but not other cognitive tests.
Conclusions:
- The MSIT demonstrates partial construct validity in heart failure patients.
- MSIT effectively detects reduced directed attention in HF compared to healthy individuals.
- Preliminary findings support MSIT's utility in HF; larger studies are needed for confirmation.
Background:
Patients with heart failure (HF) are at risk of cognitive dysfunction, including decreased directed attention. Directed attention is critical for performing daily activities including HF self-care by facilitating one to follow instructions or train-of-thought when there are interferences in which presented stimuli are in conflict with one another. The Multi-Source Interference Task (MSIT) is a computerized neuropsychological test that examines the function of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, the neurological substrate for directed attention. However, the MSIT has not been used in past HF studies.
Objective:
The purpose of the study was to examine construct validity of the MSIT in HF.
Methods:
Baseline data were obtained from a cognitive intervention study among patients with HF (n = 22) and age- and education-matched healthy adults (n = 20). Construct validity was evaluated using t tests to examine differences between patients with HF and healthy adults and congruent and incongruent MSIT trials. Pearson's correlations were computed to examine relationships between the MSIT and Trail-Making Test, Stroop Test, and Attentional Function Index.
Results:
Compared with healthy adults, patients with HF demonstrated worse performance (i.e., slower response times and higher error rates) on MSIT. Patients with HF had worse performance on MSIT incongruent trials than congruent trials. Interference z scores of MSIT did not correlate with Trail-Making Tests A and B and Stroop Test interference z scores, but the MSIT interference z scores correlated with perceived attention function measured by Attentional Function Index.
Discussion:
Construct validity of the MSIT was supported, in part, among patients with HF. The MSIT is a sensitive measure of detecting worse directed attention among patients with HF compared with healthy adults. The preliminary findings support the use of the MSIT as a measure of directed attention in HF. Confirmation is warranted for current findings in larger samples.
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