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Measuring Attention and Visual Processing Speed by Model-based Analysis of Temporal-order Judgments
Published on: January 23, 2017
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Assessing processing speed among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A match-to-sample
Aaron J Kaat1, Forrest J McKenzie2,3, Rebecca H Shields2
1Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
Summary
The Speeded Matching (SpM) task is a reliable and valid cognitive test for assessing processing speed in individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD). Its high feasibility makes it suitable for clinical trials involving diverse populations.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- The NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery includes the Speeded Matching (SpM) test, designed to assess processing speed.
- SpM was developed to be feasible for younger children and individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD).
- This task simplifies cognitive demands by requiring a simple match-to-sample response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To pilot the Speeded Matching (SpM) task in a sample of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD).
- To evaluate the feasibility, reliability, and validity of the SpM task in this population.
- To determine if SpM is a suitable outcome measure for processing speed in clinical trials.
Main Methods:
- Administered the SpM task to 148 participants with fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, or other IDDs.
- Assessed feasibility, internal consistency, and convergent/divergent validity with other cognitive measures.
- Compared the correlation between nonverbal mental age and SpM in the IDD sample with chronological age and SpM in a neurotypical sample.
Main Results:
- The SpM task demonstrated high feasibility (96%) and excellent internal consistency (r=0.98).
- SpM scores showed strong convergence with measures of processing speed, fluid cognition, and nonverbal mental age.
- SpM appropriately diverged from measures of crystallized cognitive skills.
- The correlation between nonverbal mental age and SpM in the IDD group was comparable to the correlation between chronological age and SpM in neurotypical children.
Conclusions:
- The Speeded Matching (SpM) task is a reliable and valid measure of processing speed for individuals with IDD.
- Its ease of administration, brevity, and engaging nature make it suitable for diverse populations, including young children and those with lower mental ages.
- SpM shows promise as an outcome measure for processing speed in future clinical trials involving individuals with IDD.
