| The Trail Making Test (TMT) is a commonly used neuropsychological instrument that quickly assesses several cognitive constructs. Parker-O'Brien and Associates developed an iPad application of the TMT using the same norms as the Halstead-Reitan version (PAP-TMT). This study assessed the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of the iPad-TMT in a sample of 77 intellectually healthy adults. Reliability was assessed by Pearson product-moment correlation and by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), while validity was assessed by MANOVA. Results indicate that Part A of the iPad-TMT was unable to demonstrate adequate test-retest reliability over one week (r = .15 - .70); however, Part B demonstrated adequate test-retest reliability in the majority of groups (r = .33 - .80). Conversely, Part A of the iPad-TMT demonstrated adequate concurrent validity (p > .05), while Part B did not (p < .001); however, the validity of Part A has little meaning in this context, given its lack of reliability. Interestingly, results indicated that handedness had a significant effect on performance, with left-handers performing slower on iPad-TMT Part A ( p < .05) and PAP-TMT Part B (p < .05). With these findings, the norms for the TMT should not be used for the iPad version and new norms should be established for the iPad-TMT. Additionally, the role of handedness in TMT performance should be assessed. Clinicians should use caution when using computerized versions of previously paper-and-pencil based tests, given these recent findings. |
