Digit span backward becomes a valid measure of working memory at exactly the point that testing is traditionally discontinued.Ĭopyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. Minor test modifications may address test validity concerns, and should be considered in future test revisions. Alternate administration/scoring of digit span backward significantly improved its associations with working memory reordering (r=.58), working memory dual-processing (r=.53), working memory updating (r=.28), and KTEA-2 achievement (r=.49).Ĭonsistent with prior work, these findings urge caution when interpreting digit span performance. Traditional digit span backward scores failed to predict working memory or KTEA-2 achievement (allns). Traditional and modified scores were compared to a battery of criterion working memory (construct validity) and academic achievement tests (predictive validity) for 34 children with ADHD ages 8-13 (M=10.41 11 girls). Importantly, norms are now provided for each of these scores, reflecting more pure measures of simple attention (longest Digit Span Forward) and working memory (longest Digit Span Backward). An RDS score of 7 is commonly referenced as indicative of invalid performance however, few studies have examined the classification accuracy of the RDS among individuals suspected for dementia. The Digit Sequencing test can be administered backward, which means that the subject has to repeat the digits in. WISC-IV digit span was modified to administer all trials (i.e., ignore discontinue rule) and count digits rather than trials correct. The Reliable Digit Span (RDS) is a well-validated embedded indicator of performance validity. The current study pilot-tested minor administration/scoring modifications to improve digit span backward's construct and predictive validities in a well-characterized sample of children with ADHD. One hundred thirty-one first-episode psychosis patients were administered five cognitive tasks related to a speed of processing and executive functioning dimension (Digit Symbol, Trail Making Test TMT parts A and B, Cancellation Test, and Digit Span-backward) and an additional measure of functional outcome. Trail making requires cognitive flexibility generated through the dorsolateral and medial prefrontal cortices.Pediatric ADHD is associated with impairments in working memory, but these deficits often go undetected when using clinic-based tests such as digit span backward.The digit span backward test was used to assess working memory. At the end of the second trial, inform the subject that (s)he will be asked to recall these words again by saying, “ I will ask you to recall those words again at the end of the test.” Digit span backward (from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Fifth Edition Wechsler, 2014). The subjects fell into one of five levels of intelligence, 5059, 6069, 7079, 8089, and 9099, based upon Full Scale WAIS IQ. Try to remember and tell me as many words as you can, including words you said the first time.” Put a check in the allocated space for each word the subject recalls after the second trial. WAIS Digit Span scores of 50 subjects were evaluated to determine the relationship of Digits Forward and Digits Backward to intellectual functioning in an intellectually subnormal population. When the subject indicates that (s)he has finished (has recalled all words), or can recall no more words, read the list a second time with the following instructions: “ I am going to read the same list for a second time. It doesn’t matter in what order you say them.” Mark a check in the allocated space for each word the subject produces on this first trial. When I am through, tell me as many words as you can remember. I am going to read a list of words that you will have to remember now and later on. Repeat the sequence of numbers shown during the test. Digit Span Instructions A popular working memory test that is used in many cognitive and neuroscience research labs. You can also increase the span of digits displayed to increase test challenge. Read a list of 5 words at a rate of 1 word per second, giving the following instructions: “ This is a memory test. Choose Forward or Reverse (backwards) for each test.
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