Computer-based neuropsychological assessment: A validation of structured examination of executive functions and emotion

Abstract

An increase in the use of Computer-Based Neuropsychological Assessment tools (CBNA) has approached clinical neuropsychology appliance. In clinical diagnosis practice it is strongly needed to acquire precise data which often presents a challenge for clinicians and neuroscientists. Procedures for validation of methods in clinical neuropsychology are reliable when results between clinical and control samples are expected and observed different, by using paper-based and computer-based methods. The aim of the present study is to describe the validation procedures of a CBNA tool in a sample of control and clinical participants. The method consisted in comparing 35 control adolescents with 33 clinically referred pairs. A CBNA composed by two neuropsychological assessment tests for measuring effect of emotions on executive functions, was administered to each participant. Results showed differences between groups, observed in performance over the tasks. It was concluded that CBNA gives accurately results that otherwise could not be acquired by conventional paper-based methods, reducing errors of tests administration and application costs, as well as conserving reliability.