Using the Mobile Toolbox in child and adolescent samples: A feasibility study

Abstract

Cognitive research with developmental samples requires improved methods that support large-scale, diverse, and open science. This paper offers initial evidence to support the Mobile Toolbox (MTB), a self-administered remote smartphone-based cognitive battery, in youth populations, from a pilot sample of 99 children (M_age = 11.79 years; 36% female; 53% White, 33% Black or African American, 9% Asian, and 15% Hispanic). Completion rates (95%-99%), practice performance (96%-100%), internal consistency (0.60-0.98), and correlations with similar NIHTB measures (0.55-0.77) provide the first evidence to support the MTB in a youth sample, although there were some inconsistencies across measures. Preliminary findings provide promising evidence of the MTB in developmental populations, and further studies are encouraged.

Figure 1.

Example Screens from the MTB Measures

Figure 2.

Relations between MTB Standardized Scores and Age

Figure 3.

MTB and NIHTB Correlation Matrix Note: Values in purple indicate correlations between the measures of the same or similar constructs using different methods (NIH Toolbox and MTB). Values in pink indicate correlations between measures of different constructs using the same method, TPVT = Toolbox Picture Vocabulary Test; ORRT = Oral Reading Recognition Test, DCCS = Dimensional Change Card Sorting; OSD = Oral Symbol Digit Test; LSWM = List Sorting Working Memory Test; All correlations significant at p<.01 level.