Making Test (making + test)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Kinds of Making Test

  • trail making test


  • Selected Abstracts


    Objective determination of fatigue development following sun exposure using Advanced Trail Making Test

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 1 2004
    T. Horikoshi
    Synopsis Sun exposure during leisure activity evokes fatigue. We employed the Advanced Trail Making Test (ATMT), a recently developed objective method of evaluating brain function performance used to measure mental fatigue, for objective determination of fatigue development caused by solar exposure to the human body. First, a survey of consumer awareness was performed, and fatigue development from solar exposure was generally recognized in both summer and spring. In the field test, 15 males (26,41 years old) received sun exposure equivalent to 100 kJ m,2 of ultraviolet radiation three to four times each day for 3 days, during which the subjects wore a short sleeve shirt and a short pant, and covered their head with a towel. A significant increase in scores for subjective sense of fatigue was observed in the evening of all 3 days following sun exposure and on the fourth day, which had no exposure, as well as in the morning of the third and fourth days, as compared with those periods during the control week, which did not have experimental solar exposure. ATMT showed a significant increase in average value in the evening of the first and second days following sun exposure, as well as in the morning of the third and fourth days. In addition, increases in body temperature and heart rate were observed during the exposure periods. The results of multiple regression analysis of subjective feelings showed that fatigue caused by solar exposure was qualitatively different from that in the control week. These results suggest that brain function performance declined following solar exposure as did fatigue development. ATMT results may be useful for quantitative and objective evaluation of mental fatigue caused by sun exposure, along with development of sun care products for the prevention of solar-caused fatigue. Résumé L'exposition au soleil pendant les activités de loisir provoque la fatigue. Nous avons utilisé la méthode ,Advanced Trail Making Test (ATMT)', une méthode d'évaluation objective de la faculté du fonctionnement du cerveau, récemment développée pour mesurer la fatigue mentale, dans le but de déterminer objectivement le processus de la fatigue du corps humain causée par l'exposition au soleil. Premièrement, nous avons mené un sondage sur la conscience du consommateur, et une évolution de la fatigue venant de l'exposition au soleil a été notée dans l'ensemble au printemps et en été. Lors des expériences sur le terrain, 15 sujets mâles (de 26 à 41 ans) ont été exposés au soleil, 3 à 4 fois par jour, pendant 3 jours. L'exposition était égale à 100 kJ m,2 de radiation ultraviolette. Pendant ces 3 jours, les sujets étaient vêtus d'une chemize à manches courtes et d'un pantalon court, et avaient la tête couverte d'une serviette. Nous avons observé une augmentation considérable du score représentant la sensation subjective de fatigue le soir des 3 jours suivant l'exposition au soleil, et le soir du quatrième jour, sans exposition, de même que le matin des troisième et quatrième jours, en comparaison avec les mêmes périodes de la semaine de contrôle, sans exposition expérimentale au soleil. Les résultats du test de l'ATMT ont montré une augmentation considérable de la valeur moyenne le soir des premier et second jours suivant l'exposition au soleil, aussi bien que le matin des troisième et quatrième jours. De plus, nous avons observé une augmentation de la température du corps et du pouls pendant les moments d'exposition. L'analyse de régression multiple des résultats de la sensation subjective a montré que la fatigue causée par l'exposition était qualitativement différente que celle de la semaine de contrôle. Ces résultats suggèrent que la faculté de fonctionnement du cerveau baisse après l'exposition au soleil, comme le fait la fatigue. Les résultats de l'ATMT peuvent être utiles pour l'évaluation quantitative et objective de la fatigue mentale causée par l'exposition au soleil, ceci allant de pair avec le développement des produits de soin contre le soleil pour la prévention de la fatigue causée par le soleil. [source]


    Evaluating cognition in an elderly cohort via telephone assessment

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 5 2010
    Effie M. Mitsis
    Abstract Objective Longitudinal neuropsychological assessment provides the opportunity to observe the earliest transition to cognitive impairment in healthy, elderly individuals. We examined the feasibility, and its comparability to in-person assessment, of a telephone administered battery of established neuropsychological measures of cognitive functioning in healthy, elderly women. Methods Fifty-four women (age,=,79,±,7.7; education,=,15.4,±,3.3) who were in self-reported good health were recruited from senior centers and other community sources. A two-way cross-over design was used in which participants were randomly assigned to receive either (1) in-person neuropsychological assessment followed by telephone assessment and (2) telephone assessment followed by in-person assessment, separated by approximately 4 weeks. Linear regression models were used to determine whether there were performance differences by method (in-person vs. telephone), and equivalence testing assessed comparability of the two methods. Results There were no statistically significant differences in performance between in-person and telephone assessments on most neuropsychological tests, with the exception of digit span backward, Oral Trail Making Test Part A, and delayed recall on the SRT, the latter likely related to non-comparable exposure (6-trials in-person vs. 3-trials telephone). Equivalence testing differences fell in the pre-specified clinical equivalence zones, providing evidence of comparability of the two methods. Conclusions These pilot data support telephone administration of a neuropsychological battery that yields comparable performance to in-person assessment with respect to most instruments. Significant differences in scores on some measures suggest care should be taken in selecting specific measures used in a neuropsychological battery administered by telephone. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    The moderating role of personality factors in the relationship between depression and neuropsychological functioning among older adults

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 9 2009
    Brian J. Ayotte
    Abstract Objective Depression is often associated with decreased cognitive performance among older adults. The current study focused on the association of neuropsychological functioning and personality traits in depressed and non-depressed older adults. Methods Data from 75 depressed and 103 non-depressed adults over the age of 60 were analyzed. All participants underwent standardized clinical assessment for depression prior to participation and completed the NEO-PI-R and a series of neuropsychological assessments. Results A series of multiple linear regressions were conducted to examine the relationships between personality and neuropsychological performance among depressed and non-depressed older adults. Results indicated that higher Openness to Experience was related to better performance on Parts A and B of the Trail Making Test among depressed older adults, and to better Digit Span Backward performance among all participants. Higher levels of neuroticism were related to poorer performance on Digit Span Backward, but only among depressed older adults. Depressed participants performed more poorly on the Symbol Digit Modalities Test and the Controlled Oral Word Association Test. Conclusions Personality characteristics, particularly Openness to Experience, modified the relationship between depression and neuropsychological functioning among older adults. Results indicate that interventions aimed at increasing one's Openness to Experience could potentially attenuate some of the neuropsychological impairments that are associated with depression. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Cognitive correlates of brain MRI subcortical signal hyperintensities in non-demented elderly

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 1 2006
    Gad A. Marshall
    Abstract Objective To investigate the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) subcortical gray and capsular (SGCH) and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and cognitive functions in non-demented community dwelling elderly. Methods The severity of SGCH and WMH on proton density and T2 MR images in 16 subjects was scored using the semi-quantitative rating scale of Scheltens et al. (1993). A limited series of cognitive tests selected a priori were then correlated with severity of SGCH and WMH. Results Analysis demonstrated that severity of SGCH was inversely related to performance on the Digit Span (R,=,,0.64, p,<,0.01) and the Stroop Color Word Tests (R,=,,0.64, p,<,0.01). Severity of WMH was related to worsening performance on the Trail Making Test (R,=,0.67, p,<,0.005). Conclusions These findings indicate that severity of WMH is negatively related to more pure executive cognitive functions, specifically set shifting, while severity of SGCH is inversely related to more basic functions of attention and working memory. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Can High-Risk Older Drivers Be Identified Through Performance-Based Measures in a Department of Motor Vehicles Setting?

    JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 1 2006
    Karlene K. Ball PhD
    OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between performance-based risk factors and subsequent at-fault motor vehicle collision (MVC) involvement in a cohort of older drivers. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) field sites in Maryland. PARTICIPANTS: Of the 4,173 older drivers invited to participate in the study, 2,114 individuals aged 55 to 96 agreed to do so. These analyses focus on 1,910 individuals recruited through MVA field sites. MEASUREMENTS: Gross Impairment Screening Battery, which included Rapid Pace Walk, Head/Neck Rotation, Foot Tap, Arm Reach, Cued Recall, Symbol Scan, Visual Closure subtest of the Motor Free Visual Perception Test (MVPT), Delayed Recall, and Trail Making Test with an Abbreviated Part A and standard Part B; Useful Field of View (UFOV®) subtest 2; a Mobility Questionnaire; and MVC occurrence. RESULTS: In drivers aged 55 and older with intact vision (20/70 far visual acuity and 140° visual field), age, sex, history of falls, and poorer cognitive performance, as measured using Trails B, MVPT, and UFOV subtest 2, were predictive of future at-fault MVC involvement. After adjusting for annual mileage, participants aged 78 and older were 2.11 as more likely to be involved in an at-fault MVC, those who made four or more errors on the MVPT were 2.10 times as likely to crash, those who took 147 seconds or longer to complete Trails B were 2.01 times as likely to crash, and those who took 353 ms or longer on subtest 2 of the UFOV were 2.02 times as likely to incur an at-fault MVC. Older adults, men, and individuals with a history of falls were more likely to be involved in subsequent at-fault MVCs. CONCLUSION: Performance-based cognitive measures are predictive of future at-fault MVCs in older adults. Cognitive performance, in particular, is a salient predictor of subsequent crash involvement in older adults. High-risk older drivers can be identified through brief, performance-based measures administered in a MVA setting. [source]


    Diagnostic Accuracy of a New Instrument for Detecting Cognitive Dysfunction in an Emergent Psychiatric Population: The Brief Cognitive Screen

    ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 3 2010
    Steven P. Cercy PhD
    Abstract Objectives:, In certain clinical contexts, the sensitivity of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is limited. The authors developed a new cognitive screening instrument, the Brief Cognitive Screen (BCS), with the aim of improving diagnostic accuracy for cognitive dysfunction in the psychiatric emergency department (ED) in a quick and convenient format. Methods:, The BCS, consisting of the Oral Trail Making Test (OTMT), animal fluency, the Clock Drawing Test (CDT), and the MMSE, was administered to 32 patients presenting with emergent psychiatric conditions. Comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation served as the criterion standard for determining cognitive dysfunction. Diagnostic accuracy of the MMSE was determined using the traditional clinical cutoff and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. Diagnostic accuracy of individual BCS components and BCS Summary Scores was determined by ROC analyses. Results:, At the traditional clinical cutoff, MMSE sensitivity (46.4%) and total diagnostic accuracy (53.1%) were inadequate. Under ROC analyses, the diagnostic accuracy of the full BCS Summary Score (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.857) was comparable to the MMSE (AUC = 0.828). However, a reduced BCS Summary Score consisting of OTMT Part B (OTMT,B), animal fluency, and the CDT yielded classification accuracy (AUC = 0.946) that was superior to the MMSE. Conclusions:, Preliminary findings suggest the BCS is an effective, convenient alternative cognitive screening instrument for use in emergent psychiatric populations. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:307,315 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine [source]


    Impaired visual search in drivers with Parkinson's disease

    ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 4 2006
    Ergun Y. Uc MD
    Objective To assess the ability for visual search and recognition of roadside targets and safety errors during a landmark and traffic sign identification task in drivers with Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods Seventy-nine drivers with PD and 151neurologically normal older adults underwent a battery of visual, cognitive, and motor tests. The drivers were asked to report sightings of specific landmarks and traffic signs along a four-lane commercial strip during an experimental drive in an instrumented vehicle. Results The drivers with PD identified significantly fewer landmarks and traffic signs, and they committed more at-fault safety errors during the task than control subjects, even after adjusting for baseline errors. Within the PD group, the most important predictors of landmark and traffic sign identification rate were performances on Useful Field of View (visual speed of processing and attention) and Complex Figure Test-Copy (visuospatial abilities). Trail Making Test (B-A), a measure of cognitive flexibility independent of motor function, was the only independent predictor of at-fault safety errors in drivers with PD. Interpretation The cognitive and visual deficits associated with PD resulted in impaired visual search while driving, and the increased cognitive load during this task worsened their driving safety. Ann Neurol 2006 [source]


    Homocysteine, white matter hyperintensities, and cognition in healthy elderly people

    ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 2 2003
    Carole Dufouil PhD
    Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with an increased risk of vascular disease, and recent results suggest that it also could increase the risk of dementia. We examined the relationship between homocysteine and cognitive decline in 1,241 subjects aged 61 to 73 years, followed up over 4 years. Plasma homocysteine levels were determined in all participants as well as cardiovascular risk factors, apolipoprotein E genotype, plasma levels of folate, and vitamin B12. Cognitive performances were assessed repeatedly by using Mini-Mental State Examination, Trail Making Test, Digit Symbol Substitution Test, and Finger Tapping Test. At 2-year follow-up, 841 subjects underwent cerebral magnetic resonance imaging, and white matter hyperintensities were rated visually. Analyses were adjusted for all cardiovascular risk factors. Cross-sectional analyses showed that higher concentrations of homocysteine were significantly related to poorer performances at all neuropsychological tests. Longitudinal analyses confirmed this finding. The odds of cognitive decline was 2.8-fold (p < 0.05) higher in subjects with homocysteine levels above 15,mol/L compared with those with homocysteine levels below 10,mol/L. In participants who underwent magnetic resonance imaging, the relationship between homocysteine and cognition was unchanged after taking into account white matter hyperintensities suggesting that white matter hyperintensities do not mediate the association between homocysteine and cognition. Ann Neurol 2003;53:000,000 [source]


    Follow-up of adolescents born extremely preterm: cognitive function and health at 18 years of age

    ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 9 2010
    Anne-Li Hallin
    Abstract Aim:, To compare cognitive ability, school achievement and self-perceived health aspects in adolescents born extremely preterm and term born controls. Method:, Fifty-two, out of 61, extremely preterm born adolescents (mean age 18.4 years) and 54 matched controls (mean age 18.3 years) born at full term were investigated; intelligence quotient was measured with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale; cognitive flexibility, i.e. a measure of visuomotor speed and attention, with the Trail Making Test; school achievement and choice of upper secondary programmes were reported. Health aspects were investigated in a semi structured interview. Result:, The adolescents born prematurely had significantly lower IQ than the controls, mean 93 (SD 15.4) vs 106 (12.5), p < 0.001; showed slower visuomotor speed; had lower grades from compulsory school (192.7 vs 234.8, p < 0.001); and chose to a greater extent practical upper secondary school programmes. There were no differences between the groups in health care consumption, prevalence of chronic disease, allergy or infectious diseases. Conclusion:, Poorer cognitive performance, in extremely preterm born individuals, seems to persist into late adolescence. Fewer prematurely born than control chose theoretical upper secondary school programmes. However, no difference was noted regarding self-perceived health aspects. [source]


    A national evaluation of school breakfast clubs: evidence from a cluster randomized controlled trial and an observational analysis

    CHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 5 2004
    I. Shemilt
    Abstract Study objective To measure the health, educational and social impacts of breakfast club provision in schools serving deprived areas across England. Design A cluster randomized controlled trial and an observational analysis. Setting England, the UK. Intervention: funding to establish a school-based breakfast club vs. control (no funding). Main results Intention to treat analysis showed improved concentration (Trail Making Test Part A) amongst the intervention group at 3 months. Fewer pupils within the intervention group reported having skipped classes within the last month and fewer pupils within the intervention group reported having skipped 1 or more days of school within the last month at 1 year. Observational analysis at 1 year showed a higher proportion of primary-aged breakfast club attendees reported eating fruit for breakfast in comparison to non-attendees. A higher proportion of breakfast club attendees had borderline or abnormal conduct and total difficulties scores (primary-aged pupils) and prosocial score (secondary-aged pupils). Conclusions Analyses revealed a mixed picture of benefit and apparent disbenefit. This study illustrated the challenges of evaluating a complex intervention in which the evaluators had less control than is usual in randomized trials over recruitment, eligibility checking and implementation. If the impact of new policy initiatives is to be assessed using the most robust forms of evaluation, social policy needs to be organized so that evaluations can be constructed as experiments. This is likely to prove most difficult where the perceived value of implementing an intervention rapidly is high. [source]


    One-year treatment of Alzheimer's disease with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: improvement on ADAS-cog and TMT A, no change or worsening on other tests

    HUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue 6 2005
    Alina Borkowska
    Abstract The aim of this study was to assess cognitive functioning measured by selected psychometric and neuropsychological tools in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) after 1-year treatment with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Seventy-six patients (22 male and 54 female) with a mild to moderate stage of AD, aged 56,86 (mean 68) years, were treated. Forty-seven received donepezil (mean dose 9.3,mg/d) and 29 rivastigmine (mean dose 8.5,mg/d). Cognitive measurements included: the mini mental state examination (MMSE), the Alzheimer disease assessment scale-cognitive (ADAS- cog), the trail making test (TMT) and the Stroop color word interference test. The assessments were made before and after 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment. A significant improvement in ADAS-cog (p,<,0.001, 83% of patients improved) and a worsening in MMSE (84% of patients worsened, p,<,0.01 after 6 and 12 months) was noted after the 1 year treatment. A majority of patients (57%) improved in the TMT-A (p,<,0.001), measuring psychomotor speed and worsened in the TMT-B (p,<,0.01, after 12 months), and Stroop B test (p,<,0.001), measuring working memory and executive functions, 53% and 61%, respectively. Most patients (83%) did not change their performance in the Stroop A (improvement after 3 months, p,<,0.001, worsening after 6 and 12 months p,<,0.01) test measuring verbal abilities, after 1 year treatment. The results obtained suggest that the treatment with cholinergic drugs may improve global cognitive functioning (ADAS-cog) and psychomotor speed (TMT A), however, such treatment is unable to prevent the deterioration of working memory and executive functions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Modafinil reduces patient-reported tiredness after sedation/analgesia but does not improve patient psychomotor skills

    ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2010
    E. GALVIN
    Background: Early recovery of patients following sedation/analgesia and anesthesia is important in ambulatory practice. The aim of this study was to assess whether modafinil, used for the treatment of narcolepsy, improves recovery following sedation/analgesia. Methods: Patients scheduled for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy were randomly assigned to one of four groups. Two groups received a combination of fentanyl/midazolam with either modafinil or placebo. The remaining groups received remifentanil/propofol with either modafinil or placebo. Modafinil 200 mg was administered to the treatment group patients 1 h before sedation/analgesia. Groups were compared using the digital symbol substitution test (DSST), trail making test (TMT), observer scale of sedation and analgesia (OAA/S) and Aldrete score. Verbal rating scale (VRS) scores for secondary outcome variables e.g. energy, tiredness and dizziness were also recorded before and after treatment. Results: Sixty-seven patients successfully completed the study. Groups received similar doses of sedation and analgesic drugs. No statistically significant difference was found for DSST between groups. No significant adverse effects occurred in relation to modafinil. No statistically significant difference between groups was identified for TMT, OAA/S and Aldrete scores. The mean VRS score for tiredness was lesser in the modafinil/fentanyl/midazolam group [1.3 (2.0)] compared with the placebo group [3.8 (2.5)], P=0.02. Such a difference was not found between the remifentanil/propofol groups [placebo 2.6 (2.2) vs. modafinil 3.1(2.7)], p>0.05. Dizziness was greater in the modafinil/remifentanil/propofol group 1.7 (2.0) vs. placebo 0.0 (0.5), p<0.05. Conclusion: Modafinil reduces patient-reported tiredness after sedation/analgesia but does not improve recovery in terms of objective measures of patient psychomotor skills. [source]