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
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
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.
Embargo
Test of memory malingering 2nd edition: normative data from cognitively intact adults living in Spain
(Routledge, 2024-11-05) Arango Lasprilla, Juan Carlos; Ayearst, Lindsay E.; Rivera, Diego; Dini, Mia E.; Olabarrieta Landa, Laiene; Ramos Usuga, Daniela; Perrin, Paul B.; McCaffrey, Robert; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
This study evaluated the universality of the TOMM 2 and provided a reference sample of cognitively intact adults living in Spain whose native language was Spanish. A total of 203 adults completed the TOMM 2 from June 2019 to January 2020. When using the original TOMM cutoff scores derived from English speakers, all participants scored in a range that would suggest that they passed the TOMM. When using a cut score less than 40 on Trial 1, only one participant in this study would be mistakenly classified as providing an invalid performance. Spanish-speaking adults in Spain from this study achieved a perfect score on Trial 1 at a rate more than double that of English-speaking individuals on the original TOMM. At the item level, all but one item met the minimum standard for performance validity; this item fell only marginally below the standard at 89%. This study found a very low failure rate for the TOMM 2, suggesting that the second edition has at least as high specificity as the original in Spanish adults.
Open Access
Methodology for the generation of normative data for the U.S. adult Spanish-speaking population: a Bayesian approach
(SAGE, 2024-09-20) Rivera, Diego; Forte, Anabel; Olabarrieta Landa, Laiene; Perrin, Paul B.; Arango Lasprilla, Juan Carlos; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Objective: To present the methodology for a study generating normative neuropsychological test data for healthy Spanish-speaking adults (18-80 years old) living in the U.S. using Bayesian inference as a novel approach. Method: The study sample consisted of 253 healthy adults from eight U.S. regions (California, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, New Jersey, Oregon, Virginia, and Wisconsin), with individuals originating from a diverse array of Latin American countries. To participate in the study, individuals must have met the following criteria: were between 18 and 80 years of age, had lived in the U.S. for at least 1 year (12 continuous months), self-identified Spanish as their dominant language, had at least one year of formal education, were able to read and write in Spanish at the time of evaluation, scored ¿23 on the Mini-Mental State Examination, scored <10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire¿9, and scored <10 on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale. Participants completed 12 neuropsychological tests. Reliability statistics and norms were calculated for all tests. Conclusions: This was the first normative study for Spanish-speaking adults in the U.S. to implement demographic, acculturation, and bilingual dominance measures as possible controls. Additionally, it was the first study to use Bayesian linear or generalized linear regression models for generating normative data in neuropsychology.
Open Access
Multivariate base rates of low scores on tests of executive functions in a multi-country Latin American sample
(Routledge, 2021) Rivera, Diego; Mascialino, Guido; Brooks, Brian L.; Olabarrieta Landa, Laiene; Longoni, Melina; Galarza-Del-Ángel, Javier; Arango Lasprilla, Juan Carlos; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of low scores in a diverse Latin American population for two neuropsychological commonly used tests to evaluate executive functions and to compare the number of low scores obtained using normative data from a Spanish-speaking population from Latin America versus an English-speaking population from U.S.A. Healthy adults (N = 5402) were administered the Modiﬁed Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and Stroop Color-Word. Low scores on measures of executive functioning are common. Clinicians working with Spanish-speaking adults should take into account the higher probability of low scores on these measures to reduce false-positive diagnoses of cognitive deficits in an individual.
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
Treatment effectiveness for male intimate partner violence perpetrators depending on problematic alcohol use
(Elsevier, 2022) Siria Mendaza, Sandra; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Echauri, José Antonio; Azkárate, Juana; Martínez, María; Olabarrieta Landa, Laiene; Rivera, Diego; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background: Problematic alcohol use (PAU) is highly correlated with intimate partner violence perpetration (IPV). However, when treatments for male IPV perpetrators that address alcohol consumption are evaluated, the results are varied. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to assess the differential long-term effectiveness of a standard individual treatment programme for male IPV perpetrators depending on the presence of PAU. Methods: The sample was composed of 641 male IPV perpetrators who completed a specialized individual treatment programme for gender violence perpetrators. All of the participants were followed for one year after treatment completion. Results: The effects of PAU on treatment success were evaluated by means of multiple logistic regression analyses. The full model was reliable (χ2 = 10.243; df = 3; p = .016), and overall, 88.8% of the predictions were accurate. The findings indicated that the probability of successful treatment does not depend on the presence of PAU. Conclusions: The relationship between IPV perpetration and PAU is highly complex, and several underlying mechanisms should be further evaluated. Accordingly, interventions should not only screen for alcohol consumption but also for all individual characteristics that might necessitate tailored treatment.
Open Access
Phonological and semantic verbal fluency test: Scoring criteria and normative data for clustering and switching strategies for Colombian children and adolescents
(Wiley, 2023) Álvarez Medina, María Nazareth; Vergara Moragues, Esperanza; Arango Lasprilla, Juan Carlos; Restrepo Moreno, Juan Carlos; Calderón Chagualá, José Amilkar; Rivera, Diego; Olabarrieta Landa, Laiene; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Background: Verbal fluency tests (VFT) are highly sensitive to cognitive deficits. Usually, the score on VFT is based on the number of correct words produced, yet it alone gives little information regarding underlying test performance. The implementation of different strategies (cluster and switching) to perform effi-ciently during the tasks provide more valuable information. However, normative data for clustering and switching strategies are scarce. Moreover, scoring criteria adapted to Colombian Spanish are missing. Aims: (1) To describe the Colombian adaptation of the scoring system guidelines for clustering and switching strategies in VFT; (2) to determine its reliability; and (3) to provide normative data for Colombian children and adolescents aged 6–17 years. Methods & Procedures: A total of 691 children and adolescents from Colombia completed phonological (/f/, /a/, /s/, /m/, /r/ and /p/) and semantic (animals and fruits) VFT, and five scores were calculated: total score (TS), number of clusters (NC), cluster size (CS), mean cluster size (MCS) and number of switches (NS). The intraclass correlation coefficient was used for interrater reliability. Hierarhical multiple regressions were conducted to investigate which strategies were associated with VFT TS. Multiple regressions were conducted for each strategy, including as predictors age, age2, sex, mean parents’ education (MPE), MPE2 and type of school, to generate normative data. Outcomes & Results: Reliability indexes were excellent. Age was associated with VFT TS, but weakly compared with strategies. For both VFT TS, NS was the strongest variable, followed by CS and NC. Regarding norms, age was the strongest predictor for all measures, while age2 was relevant for NC (/f/phoneme) and NS (/m/ phoneme). Participants with higher MPE obtained more NC, and NS, and larger CS in several phonemes and categories. Children and adolescents from private school generated more NC, NS and larger CS in /s/phoneme. Conclusions & Implications: This study provides new scoring guidelines and normative data for clustering and switching strategies for Colombian children and adolescents between 6 and 17 years old. Clinical neuropsychologists should include these measures as part of their everyday practice.
Open Access
Spain, the land of diversity
(Routledge, 2022) Olabarrieta Landa, Laiene; Goméz López, María Jesús; González Wongvalle, Isabel; Rivera, Diego; Arango Lasprilla, Juan Carlos; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
The aim of this chapter is to present relevant cultural aspects that a neuropsychologist should take into account in order to provide adequate service to Spanish patients and their families. In the first section, there is an introduction to the Spanish culture, which is linked to small case studies that reflect its relevance from a neuropsychological point of view. Spain is culturally complex, with different regions that maintain their own traditions and languages. For Spaniards, social relationships and family are so important that patients may prioritize some rehabilitation goals against others in order to recover their social functioning. Likewise, the complex relationship between languages and education is presented, as well as the educational and socioeconomic level of the country. In the second section, the importance of social relationships and the role of the family in the neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation, as well as the context in which the patient lives, are explored closely through RJ case. Finally, the chapter ends with a summary of the most relevant ideas to consider when assessing a Spanish patient.