Digit span test Clause Samples

Digit span test. Working memory and attention will be assessed using a computerised version of the digit span test from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth edition (WAIS) [19], programmed on SuperLab software by DMU. The takes around 7 minutes to complete and will be administered at baseline and follow up using a laptop. The digit span test is one of the most commonly used assessments of short term memory, working memory and attention. Higher scores indicate cognitive flexibility, use of rehearsal and mnemonic strategies and concentration abilities. The test comprises 3 sections, digit span forwards, digit span backwards and digit span sequencing tests. For the forward digit recall test, participants will be presented with a set of digits and asked to recall them in the same order immediately following the presentation. A higher number of digits will be presented after successful recall of two trails with a set of digits. For example, set one would have two trials of two digits (e.g. 6, 2,).If successful in one of these two digit trials, they will be presented with a series with an additional digit, (e.g. 8, 7, 2,). If they fail both trails of a given series, the test is discontinued. If they respond correctly, the test continues until 9 digit series are being presented. Participants will complete a practice of 3 sets of digits before the test begins. The score is the highest number of digits repeated without error in either of the two trails (if a participant recalls 6 digits, they receive a score of 6). The backwards digit test follows the same principle, but participants are required to respond to recall the presented digits backwards. E.g if 2, 1, 9 are presented, the participant must recall 9,1,2 to receive a correct score. As in the forward test, participants will complete a practice of 3 sets of digits before the test begins. For digit span sequencing, the participant will be presented with a sequence of numbers (8, 4, 2, 9) and be asked to recall the numbers in ascending order (2, 4, 8, 9). As with digits forward, digits backwards and digit sequencing tests will be discontinued if participants fail both trials of a given number series. If the participants fail on any of the digit span tests, the other digit span tests should still be administered as the subject may be more impaired in short term memory than working memory).