Validation of a digital, tablet-based version of the Trail Making Test in the increment elta platform

Using digital technology for neuropsychological assessment is gaining popularity in both clinical and research settings. Digital neuropsychology offers many benefits over the traditional paper-pencil assessments; however, their comparability requires further validation. The aim of this study was to compare a digital, tablet-based Trail Making Test to the standard paper version. In a within-subject design, 108 healthy adults completed both digital and paper Trail Making Test in a counterbalanced order. Each participant also performed other tasks measuring core executive abilities (inhibition, working memory, and flexibility) on the tablet. Our findings indicated that the Trail Making Test performance on the two different modalities correlated significantly. Furthermore, correlations of Trail Making Test performance with other cognitive tasks revealed that digital Trail Making Test is comparable with the paper version. However, the modality had a significant effect on Trail Making Test performance; that is, participants were generally faster on the digital platform. Taken together, our findings suggest that with new normative data, traditional Trail Making Test can be adapted successfully to a digital platform.

Automated summary

Using digital technology for neuropsychological assessment is becoming popular. This study compared a digital version of the Trail Making Test with the standard paper version and found significant correlation between the two. Participants were generally faster on the digital platform. Traditional Trail Making Tests can be successfully adapted to a digital platform with new normative data.