Studying cognitive-motor interactions using a tablet-based application of the Color Trails Test

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• The Color Trails Test (CTT) is a standard neuropsychological tool for assessing sustained and divided attention.
• There is growing clinical interest in digitizing traditional pen-and-paper assessments for enhanced data collection and analysis.
• Converting established cognitive tests to digital formats can improve efficiency and introduce novel measurement capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a digital version of the Color Trails Test (CTT) named Tablet-CTT.
• To compare the performance and kinematic data between the traditional CTT and the new Tablet-CTT.
• To investigate cognitive-motor interactions during attention-based tasks using digital kinematic analysis.

Main Methods:

• Developed a tablet-based digital version of the CTT (Tablet-CTT).
• Recruited 24 healthy young adults to perform both P&P CTT and Tablet-CTT (Trails A and B).
• Recorded hand kinematics (movement planning and execution times, velocity) using an electronic pen on the tablet.

Main Results:

• High concurrent validity was found between Tablet-CTT and P&P CTT completion times for both Trails A (r=0.6) and Trails B (r=0.8).
• Trails B consistently showed longer completion times than Trails A in both formats.
• Tablet-CTT kinematic analysis revealed that longer durations in Trails B were due to increased planning time and decreased execution velocity, with higher planning phase velocity in Trails B compared to Trails A.

Conclusions:

• The Tablet-CTT is a valid digital alternative to the P&P CTT for assessing sustained and divided attention.
• Digital kinematic data from Tablet-CTT provides valuable insights into cognitive-motor interactions, differentiating task demands.
• The Tablet-CTT has potential as a diagnostic tool, offering a more comprehensive assessment by integrating movement analysis.