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. 2023 Dec 8:12:102504.
doi: 10.1016/j.mex.2023.102504. eCollection 2024 Jun.

PerPsych: An iPadOS-based open-source neuropsychological software for time perception assessment

Arman Gorji  1   2 , Ali Fathi Jouzdani  1   2
Affiliations

PerPsych: An iPadOS-based open-source neuropsychological software for time perception assessment

Arman Gorji et al. MethodsX. .

Abstract

Time perception is an important aspect of cognitive function that can be affected by mental illness and brain disease. Neuropsychological tests often assess time perception using computer displays, but smartphone or tablet software may offer some advantages. In this study, we present PerPsych, an open-source, iPadOS-based neuropsychological tool for testing time perception. PerPsych has the following features:•It is designed natively for iPadOS, using the low-level Metal interface to access the graphics processing unit for high-timing performance.•It allows researchers to conduct studies on time perception in individuals with cognitive impairment using a simple and user-friendly interface.•It supports various experimental paradigms and parameters for measuring time perception, such as duration estimation, production, and reproduction.

Keywords: Metal; PerPsych; Psychophysics software; Time perception.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Image, graphical abstract
Graphical abstract
Fig 2
Fig. 2
Discrimination of time intervals; the subject has to decide which interval was longer.
Fig 3
Fig. 3
Temporal expectancy test; the subject has to touch the screen immediately after the second stimulus.
Fig 4
Fig. 4
Production of a single time interval; the subject has to reproduce a time interval that is similar to the interval between the first and second stimulus.
Fig 5
Fig. 5
An illustrative example of a DTI test, 1. Train trials are conducted before entering the main trials for the subjects to learn how to do tests. 2. The operator or subject enters the information needed for each block (subject ID, block number, and subject name). 3. Block starts 4. A blank screen is shown for a pseudorandom time and then three circles appear on screen 5. Stimulus is shown around the middle circle for a brief interval two times with a pseudorandom interval 6. Stimulus disappears 7. Stimulus is shown around the middle circle for a brief interval twice again and the subject has to decide which interval is longer by touching the bigger circle 8. The subject had no answer 9. The subject's answer was right 10. The subject's answer was wrong 11. Block finished after 40 trials.
Fig 6
Fig. 6
An illustrative example of a TET test, 1. Train trials are conducted before the main trials for the subjects to learn how to perform tests. 2. The operator or subject enters the information needed for each block (subject ID, block number, and subject name). 3. Block starts 4. A blank screen is shown for a pseudorandom time, and then three circles appear on the screen. 5. The stimulus is shown around the middle circle for a brief interval. 6. The stimulus disappears. 7. The stimulus is shown around the middle circle for a brief interval again, and the subject has to touch the screen as soon as he/she sees the stimulus. 8. The subject had no answer. 9. The time duration between the second stimulus and the subject's reaction in milliseconds 10. The subject touched the screen before the second stimulus. 11. Block finished after 40 trials.
Fig 7
Fig. 7
An illustrative example of a STI test, 1. Train trials before entering the main trials for the subjects to learn how to do tests. 2. The operator or subject enters the information needed for each block (subject ID, block number, and subject name). 3. Block starts 4. A blank screen is shown for a pseudorandom time, and then three circles appear on screen. 5. Stimulus is shown around the middle circle for a brief interval. 6. The stimulus disappears. 7. The stimulus is shown around the middle circle for a brief interval again, and the subject has to produce a similar interval between the first two stimuli. 8. The subject had no answer. 9. Difference between the reference interval and the subject's answer in milliseconds 10. The subject touched the screen before the second stimulus. 11. Block finished after 40 trials.
Fig 1
Fig. 1
Metal Framework Higher-level frameworks like SpriteKit are built on top of lower-level 3D graphics APIs like Metal.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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