Cognitive Load Across Interaction Formats in Digital Attention Assessment for Children: Within-Subject Neuroimaging...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neuropsychology
• Digital Health Technologies
• Cognitive Assessment

Background:

• Tablet-based cognitive assessments are common in digital health for children.
• Interaction design significantly impacts cognitive load and validity.
• Pediatric cognitive load in digital assessments is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• Examine interaction format influence on cognitive load and validity.
• Compare text-based vs. color-based Stroop tasks for children.
• Determine optimal format for valid attention assessment.

Main Methods:

• Within-subject design with 127 children (6-12 years).
• Used tablet-based text and color Stroop tasks.
• Measured cognitive load via fNIRS, behaviorally (accuracy, RT), and clinically (attention problems).

Main Results:

• Color-based format showed higher accuracy and faster reaction times.
• Color-based performance correlated significantly with parent-reported attention problems.
• fNIRS neural indices did not differ between conditions.

Conclusions:

• Interaction format critically affects pediatric digital assessment validity.
• Color-based formats enhance performance and clinical validity.
• Aligning response modalities with developmental capabilities improves digital attention assessments.