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. 2014 Jul;20(6):620-9.
doi: 10.1017/S1355617714000472. Epub 2014 Jun 24.

NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (CB): validation of executive function measures in adults

Philip David Zelazo  1 , Jacob E Anderson  1 , Jennifer Richler  2 , Kathleen Wallner-Allen  3 , Jennifer L Beaumont  4 , Kevin P Conway  5 , Richard Gershon  4 , Sandra Weintraub  4
Affiliations

NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (CB): validation of executive function measures in adults

Philip David Zelazo et al. J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 2014 Jul.

Abstract

This study describes psychometric properties of the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) executive function measures in an adult sample. The NIHTB-CB was designed for use in epidemiologic studies and clinical trials for ages 3 to 85. A total of 268 self-described healthy adults were recruited at four university-based sites, using stratified sampling guidelines to target demographic variability for age (20-85 years), gender, education and ethnicity. The NIHTB-CB contains two computer-based instruments assessing executive function: the Dimensional Change Card Sort (a measure of cognitive flexibility) and a flanker task (a measure of inhibitory control and selective attention). Participants completed the NIHTB-CB, corresponding gold standard convergent and discriminant measures, and sociodemographic questionnaires. A subset of participants (N=89) was retested 7 to 21 days later. Results reveal excellent sensitivity to age-related changes during adulthood, excellent test-retest reliability, and adequate to good convergent and discriminant validity. The NIH Toolbox EF measures can be used effectively in epidemiologic and clinical studies.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Trial sequence for the NIH Toolbox Dimensional Change Card Sort Test (with practice stimuli). All NIH Toolbox-related materials are ©2012 Northwestern University and the National Institutes of Health.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Trial sequence for the NIH Toolbox Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test (fish block). All NIH Toolbox-related materials are ©2012 Northwestern University and the National Institutes of Health.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Performance on the NIH Toolbox DCCS, the Toolbox Flanker, and the measures of convergent (D-KEFS Color Word Inhibition Raw Score) and discriminant validity (PPVT-4), as a function of age.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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