The NIH Toolbox Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Test: Normative Data

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 2015 · DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acv031 · Published: May 29, 2015

Simple Explanation

The NIH Toolbox Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Test is designed to measure how quickly someone can process visual information. Participants are asked to determine if two visual patterns are the same or different, pressing a button to indicate their choice. This test is designed to be used across a wide age range, from young children to older adults, to assess cognitive function.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

4,859 participants ages 3–85 years

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The study found evidence supporting the reliability and validity of the NIH Toolbox Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Test.
2
There was a moderate practice effect, meaning participants tended to improve their scores upon retesting within a week.
3
The test showed a well-defined relationship with age, with performance increasing until early adulthood and then gradually declining.

Research Summary

The NIHTB Pattern Comparison Processing Test is a 90-s test designed to evaluate PS across the lifespan (ages 3–85). First, although test–retest reliability was good, there was evidence for a practice effect, suggesting that participant performance improves with repeat test administration. Findings with regard to other demographic factors (i.e., gender, education, and race/ethnicity) indicated that there was no gender effect on the NIHTB Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Test for adults, and only a negligible effect for children.

Practical Implications

Clinical Assessment

The test can be used to assess processing speed in various clinical populations, aiding in the diagnosis and monitoring of neurological conditions.

Longitudinal Studies

Researchers should account for practice effects when using this test in longitudinal studies to accurately track cognitive changes over time.

Age-Related Cognitive Decline

The test can help identify age-related changes in processing speed, providing insights into cognitive aging and potential interventions.

Study Limitations

1
The test may not be appropriate for all children ages 3–4.
2
A moderate practice effect is present.
3
All of the measures included in our analyses are from the NIHTB, and thus share variance, which may cause an artiﬁcial inﬂation of the relationships among measures.

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