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A normative study on visual reaction times and two Stroop colour-word tests

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Abstract

Two-hundred and nine normal subjects underwent a study aimed at providing norms for some attention tests currently used in neuropsychological examination. Norms were calculated taking into account the demographic variables. Our battery included single visuo-manual and go/no-go reaction times, and two versions of the Stroop Colour-Word Test. For the latter test, we employed a traditional version based on card presentation and a new version based on computer-assisted presentation. We evaluated the intercorrelation of the different tests, and studied the statistical regression models in order to adjust the original scores according to age, education and gender. Normative values were calculated following the Equivalent Scores method. The pattern. of intercorrelation of our battery and the regression models of the scores are discussed with reference to the literature. The newly developed computer-assisted presentation of the Stroop test offers some advantages over the traditional version, especially with patients affected by spatial disorders.

Sommario

209 soggetti normali sono stati inclusi in questo studio con lo scopo di fornire dati normativi per alcuni test attenzionali abitualmente utilizzati negli esami neuropsicologici. I valori normativi sono stati calcolati tenendo conto delle variabili demografiche. La nostra batteria comprendeva tempi di reazione visuo-manuali semplici e golno-go e due versioni del test di Stroop. Per quest'ultimo, abbiamo utilizzato una versione tradizionali basata sulla somministrazione per mezzo di tabelloni e una nuova versione basata sulla somministrazione per mezzo di personal computer.

Abbiamo valutato la correlazione tra i vari test e abbiamo studiato i modelli di regressione statistica per aggiustare i punteggi originari in relazione all'età, la scolarità e il sesso. I valori normativi sono stati calcolati secondo il metodo dei Punteggi Equivalenti.

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Barbarotto, R., Laiacona, M., Frosio, R. et al. A normative study on visual reaction times and two Stroop colour-word tests. Ital J Neuro Sci 19, 161–170 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00831566

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