Comparison of three tests of attention and rapid information processing across six age groups

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare three tests reported sensitive to attentional disorder or limitations in information-processing capacity after closed-head injury, and to provide some normative data on these three tests. The Trail Making Test (TMT), the Brown-Peterson test of memory of three consonants (CCC) under conditions of interference, and the Paced Auditory Serial-Addition Test (PASAT) were compared across six age groups for two separate test administrations. The possible influences of gender and years of education were also analyzed. There was a practice effect for all tests. Age appeared to be a factor primarily for the TMT, the older subjects being slower. Years of education correlated with PASAT findings and to a lesser degree with the TMT. Sex did not have a significant effect on any of the test results. The CCC was least affected by any of the moderator variables used in this study. Although these three tests appear comparable in measuring attention or information-processing capacity, each also assesses other psychological functions that may be differentially sensitive to patient variables such as age and education.