Motor-Free Composites From the National Institutes of Health Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) for People With Disabilities

The National Institutes of Health Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) is designed to assess cognitive functions like language, processing speed, memory, and executive functioning. However, the standard battery can be difficult to administer to individuals with upper extremity motor impairments, as some subtests require motor responses. This study explores the use of motor-free composite scores, utilizing the Oral Symbol Digit Modalities Test (OSD) as a substitute for the Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Test, to provide a reliable assessment for individuals with motor impairments.

• 1
  Motor-Free composite scores are a reliable and valid way to examine overall and fluid cognition in individuals with upper extremity motor impairments.
• 2
  There were statistically significant overall differences between the two Fluid and Overall Cognition composite scores for some of the clinical groups.
• 3
  There was good to substantial agreement with regard to “impairment” classification between the two sets of Original and Motor-Free composite scores.