Open Access
Psychometric properties and normative data using item response theory approach for three neuropsychological tests in Waranka children population
(MDPI, 2025-02-15) Fierro Bósquez, María José; Fuentes Mendoza, Eliana María; Olabarrieta Landa, Laiene; Abiuso Lillo, Trinidad; Orozco Acosta, Erick; Mascialino, Guido; Arango Lasprilla, Juan Carlos; Rivera, Diego; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
: Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Shortened Version of the Token Test (SVTT), the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-III), and the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) using an item response theory (IRT) framework and to establish normative data for Waranka children and adolescents based on their ability scores. Methods: A total of 436 healthy people aged between 6 and 17 participated in this study. The factor structure was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and the difficulty and discrimination parameters using IRT through the two-parameter logistic model for the SVTT and PPTV-III, while for the ROCF, the graded response model was used. The ordinal alpha and McDonald’s omega were used for reliability. Results: For most items, a low ability was enough to achieve the highest scores for the ROCF and SVTT. For the PPVTIII, the items aligned sequentially based on the difficulty, and a low level of ability was enough to achieve the highest score for the first 40 items. The ROCF, SVTT, and PPVTIII demonstrated adequate reliability. The ROCF copy and immediate recall scores were influenced by the mean parents’ years of education (MPE) and quadratic age interaction. The SVTT performance was affected by the quadratic age and sex interaction, and the PPVT-III by the interaction effect of the MPE and quadratic age. Conclusions: This is the first study to analyze the psychometric properties of the ROCF, SVTT, and PPVT-III through IRT models that are accurate and relevant for the validity of the obtained data and generate normative data in the under-represented nation of Ecuador for clinical and research purposes.
Open Access
15-item version of the Boston naming test: normative data for the Latin American spanish-speaking adult population.
(American Psychological Association, 2023) Del Cacho Tena, Ana María; Merced, Kritzia; Perrin, Paul B.; Arango Lasprilla, Juan Carlos; Olabarrieta Landa, Laiene; Rivera, Diego; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Objective: Naming is commonly impaired in people with neurodegenerative diseases and brain injury, and as a result, its accurate assessment is essential. The aim of this study was to provide normative data for the 15-item Spanish version of the Boston Naming Test (BNT) for an adult population from eight Latin American countries/regions. Method: The total sample consisted of 2,828 participants from Argentina, Chile, Cuba, El Salvador, Mexico, Honduras, Paraguay, and Puerto Rico. Multiple regressions were used to generate normative data following a four-step process. Results: Regression models showed a linear effect of age on the 15-item BNT total score for Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. In contrast, Paraguay showed a quadratic age effect. Almost all countries showed a positive linear effect of education, except Cuba which had a quadratic effect. Sex was a significant predictor in Argentina, Chile, Cuba, and Mexico, where in women scored lower than men. Conclusions: This study generates normative data for the 15-item Spanish version of the BNT and offers a free open-source calculator that will assist in the efficacious use of this neuropsychological test in clinical practice and research.
Open Access
Prevalence of low scores on executive functions tests in a Spanish-speaking pediatric population from 10 Latin American countries and Spain
(Taylor & Francis, 2020) Benito Sánchez, Itziar; González, Isabel; Oliveras Rentas, Rafael E.; Ferrer Cascales, Rosario; Romero García, Ivonne; Restrepo Botero, Juan Carlos; Delgado Mejía, Iván Darío; Vergara Moragues, Esperanza; Rivera, Diego; Arango Lasprilla, Juan Carlos; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Pediatric neuropsychologists and researchers commonly interpret a low score as a cognitive weakness. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of low scores for three neuropsychological tests used to evaluate executive function in 4,595 healthy children from Latin-America and Spain. Results showed that low scores are common when multiple neuropsychological outcomes are evaluated in healthy individuals. Clinicians should consider the higher probability of low scores in a given individual when evaluating executive functions using various sets of scores to reduce false-positive diagnoses of cognitive deficits in a child.
Open Access
Normative data for test of learning and memory in an Ecuadorian adult population
(Routledge, 2020) Rodríguez Lorenzana, Alberto; Núñez Fernández, Silvia; Adana Díaz, Lila; Mascialino, Guido; Rivera, Diego; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Objective: The objective of this study was to develop norms for two neuropsychological tests of learning and memory in an Ecuadorian adult population. Method: 322 healthy individuals, ages between 18 and 84, were enrolled in the Metropolitan District of Quito. Participants were administered a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation that included tests of learning and memory (Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test [ROCF] and Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised [HVLT-R]). Backward stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the influence of demographic variables age, education, and gender on test performance. Normative data were developed adjusting for demographic variables found to be significant in the final regression models. Results: The final multiple linear models revealed performance on tests of learning and memory worsened with age and improved as a function of education. A user-friendly Excel-based calculator is presented to calculate the z score and percentile automatically based on raw score and sociodemographic information. Conclusion: This is the first study that presents normative data for tests of learning and memory for an adult population in Ecuador. It is expected that these norms will help to improve the clinical practice of neuropsychology in Ecuador by limiting erroneous raw score interpretation and incrementing diagnostic accuracy.
Open Access
Normative data for executive function tests in an Ecuadorian Waranka minority population
(Taylor & Francis, 2024-07-01) Fierro Bósquez, María José; Olabarrieta Landa, Laiene; Christ, Bryan R.; Arjol, David; Perrin, Paul B.; Arango Lasprilla, Juan Carlos; Rivera, Diego; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Objective: To generate normative data (ND) for executive functions tests in the Waranka minority population of Ecuador. Method: Four-hundred participants aged 6–17 completed the Symbol-Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Trail-Making Test (TMT), Modified-Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (M-WCST), and Test of Colors-Words (STROOP). Scores were normed using multiple linear regressions, including age, age2, natural logarithm of mean parent education (MPE), sex, bilingualism, and two-way interactions as predictors. Results: Age by MPE and Age2 by MPE interactions arose for SDMT, so that children with illiterate parents scored lower than those with literate parents. Girls scored higher in SDMT. All TMT and M-WCST scores were influenced by age2. Age by MPE interaction was found for TMT–A, so that children with higher MPE went faster; and age by bilingualism interaction for TMT–B, so that more bilingual children needed less time. Stroop-Word and Color were influenced by age2 by MPE interaction, so that children, while older, scored higher, especially those with higher MPE. Also, age2 by sex interaction arose, so that girls increased scores curvilinearly while boys linearly. Word-Color was influenced by age, while Stroop-interference by age2. Age by MPE interaction was found for MCST-Categories and Perseveration, so that perseverations decreased to then increased, especially in those with illiterate parents. M-WCST-Category scores increased to then decrease later on age in children with illiterate parents. Z-scores calculated through indigenous ND were significantly lower than generated through non-indigenous norms. Conclusions: ND for minority populations are critical since Waranka sample performed worse when using non-indigenous norms for z-score calculation.
Open Access
Cognitive and brain connectivity trajectories in critically ill COVID-19 patients
(IOS Press, 2024) Ramos Usuga, Daniela; Jiménez-Marín, Antonio; Cabrera-Zubizarreta, Alberto; Benito Sánchez, Itziar; Rivera, Diego; Martínez-Gutiérrez, Endika; Panera, Elena; Boado, Victoria ; Labayen, Fermín; Cortés, Jesús M.; Arango Lasprilla, Juan Carlos; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
BACKGROUND: Multiple Organ failure (MOF) is one of the main causes of admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of patients infected with COVID-19 and can cause short- and long-term neurological deficits. OBJECTIVE: To compare the cognitive functioning and functional brain connectivity at 6-12 months after discharge in two groups of individuals with MOF, one due to COVID-19 and the other due to another cause (MOF-group), with a group of Healthy Controls (HC). METHODS: Thirty-six participants, 12 from each group, underwent a neuropsychological and neuroimaging assessment at both time-points. Functional connectivity of the resting state networks was compared between COVID-19 and HC while controlling for the effect of MOF. The association between functional connectivity and neuropsychological performance was also investigated. RESULTS: Compared to the HC, COVID-19 group demonstrated hypoconnectivity between the Default Mode Network and Salience Network. This pattern was associated with worse performance on tests of attention and information processing speed, at both time-points. CONCLUSION: The study of the association between cognitive function and brain functional connectivity in COVID-19 allows the understanding of the short- and long-term neurological alterations of this disease and promotes the development of intervention programs to improve the quality of life for this understudied population.
Open Access
Youth leisure-time sedentary behavior questionnaire (YLSBQ): reliability and validity in Colombian University students
(MDPI, 2021) Atencio Osorio, Miguel Alejandro; Carrillo Arango, Hugo Alejandro; Correa Rodríguez, María; Rivera, Diego; Castro Piñero, José; Ramírez Vélez, Robinson; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Sedentary behavior (SB) is influenced by variations in social, cultural and economic contexts. This study assesses the test–retest reliability and validity of the Youth Leisure-time Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire (YLSBQ), a self-report tool that examines total and domain-specific SB in a cohort of young adults from Colombia. A cross-sectional validation study was conducted among 447 Colombian college students (52.8% men; mean (± standard deviation) age of 19.55 ± 2.54 years). To assess the reliability of the YLSBQ, Kappa statistics (k) were used. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to determine validity. The Cronbach alpha for the 12 behaviors of the YLSBQ showed a good-to-excellent internal consistency (0.867, ranging from 0.715–0.935). Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) indicated that 10 items (83.0%) and two items (17.0%) showed excellent and good reliability, respectively. Furthermore, ICC between the total sedentary time was 0.926 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.912 − 0.939), which was interpreted as excellent. The goodness-of-fit tests provided evidence that overall, a four-factor solution was an adequate fit with the time scores. In conclusion, the YLSBQ could be considered a reliable, valid and usable tool for the assessment of SB in young adults in a Latin American country. We found that the psychometric properties of the questionnaire were similar to those of the original Spanish validation study.
Open Access
Normative data for ten neuropsychological tests for the Guatemalan pediatric population updated to account for vulnerability
(MDPI, 2021) Ibáñez Alfonso, Joaquín A.; Company-Córdoba, Rosalba; Cadena, Claudia de la; Simpson, Ian C.; Rivera, Diego; Sianes, Antonio; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
The Guatemalan pediatric population is affected by a high incidence of poverty and violence. The previous literature showed that these experiences may ultimately impact cognitive performance. The aim of this article is to update the standardized scores for ten neuropsychological tests commonly used in Guatemala considering vulnerability. A total of 347 healthy children and adolescents from 6 to 17 years of age (M = 10.83, SD = 3) were assessed, controlling for intelligence, mental health and neuropsychological history. The standard scores were created using multiple linear regression and standard deviations from residual values. The predictors included were the following: Age, age squared (age2), mean parental education (MPE), mean parental education squared (MPE2), gender, and vulnerability, as well as their interaction. The vulnerability status was significant in the scores for language, attention and executive functions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that includes the condition of vulnerability in the calculation of neuropsychological standard scores. The utility of this update is to help in the early detection of special needs in this disadvantaged population, promoting more accurate interventions in order to alleviate the negative effects that living in vulnerable conditions has on children and adolescents.
Open Access
Executive function tests: normative data for Spanish-speaking adults in the United States
(2024-09-02) Ramos Usuga, Daniela; Rivera, Diego; Xia, Bridget; Carrión, Carmen I.; Morel Valdés, Gloria M.; Moreno, Oswaldo; Rodríguez, Miriam J.; Krch, Denise; Wongserbchart, Wongthipa; Drago, Christin I.; García, Patricia; Rivera, Patricia M.; Olabarrieta Landa, Laiene; Perrin, Paul B.; Arango Lasprilla, Juan Carlos; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background: normative data for Spanish-speaking populations, particularly Hispanics in the U.S., is notably scarce. Objective: This study aims to establish normative data for executive function tests (M-WCST, SCWT) among Spanish-speaking Hispanics in the U.S. Methods: we assessed 245 individuals aged 18-80 from eight U.S. states (California, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, New Jersey, Oregon, Virginia, and Wisconsin) and employed Bayesian regression to estimate norms, considering various sociodemographic factors influencing performance. Results: age impacts SCWT scores negatively, especially in older individuals, with stronger effects among those proficient in Spanish. Age also affects M-WCST performance more in individuals with longer U.S. residency. Education correlates with M-WCST outcomes, with lower attainment linked to more errors. Education interacts with Spanish proficiency, influencing SCWT scores differently based on proficiency levels. Sex and acculturation levels interact, affecting SCWT performance differently between men and women. Conclusions: establishing culturally sensitive normative data can enhance accurate identification of executive dysfunction and reduce misdiagnosis risks. This underscores the importance of considering sociocultural factors including acculturation and language proficiency in neuropsychological assessments to better serve diverse populations.
Open Access
Normative data study of verbal fluency and naming tests in elderly people in Costa Rica
(Oxford University Press, 2024) Mora-Villalobos, Lara; Brown-Mata, Gloriana; Smith-Castro, Vanessa; Ramos Usuga, Daniela; Rivera, Diego; Arango Lasprilla, Juan Carlos; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Objective: to generate normative data for the Verbal Fluency Test (VFT) and the Boston Naming Test (BNT) in the Costa Rican population. Method The sample consisted of 563 healthy older people (aged 59-90 years). Polynomial multiple regression analyses were run to evaluate the effects of the age, sex, and education variables on VFT and BNT scores.Results The results showed a significant linear effect of education on the four-letter VF scores and an effect of sex on the letter P score, with females performing better than males. The explained variance ranged from 20.9% to 28.3%. A linear effect of age and education was also found for the four semantic VF scores, with scores decreasing with increasing age and lower education. The sex variable was significant for all semantic categories, with females performing better than males except in the animal category. The explained variance ranged from 21.7% to 30.9%. In the BNT, a linear effect of education was found, so that the more education, the better the score. In addition, a sex effect was also found, with males having higher scores than females. The predictors of the model explained 9.6% of the variance. Conclusions: this is the first study that generates normative data for the VF and BNT in the Costa Rican population over 59 years of age based on demographic variables. The use of these normative data will help clinicians in Costa Rica to better understand language functioning in the elderly, allowing for better classification and diagnosis in the future.