Overview:
There are 5 measures of executive cognitive function built into the C8 cognitive training programs. We use the test results as part of our effort to document and continuously improve effectiveness of our training programs. We also provide the test results to schools, clinics and parent subscribers to help personalize education based on each individual’s areas of relative cognitive strengths and weaknesses. Four measures are given at the start of the cognitive training and then repeated after approximately 800 and 1200 minutes of training. These are the Flanker Test of Focused Attention, the Go/No-Go Test of Self-Control, the List Sorting Working Memory Test and the Bubblegum Analog Risk-Taking Test (BART). Results for the first three measures are presented in percentile scores in comparison to scores of over 1,000 other children or adults at the same grade level or similar age. The fifth measure is the Brief Executive Function Screening Test (BREFST) which is given after every 200 minutes of training to monitor progress.
Flanker Test of Focused Attention:
Users see five arrows in a row which are pointing either to the left or to the right. All of the arrows will point the same way, with the possible exception of the arrow in the middle. Using the arrow keys on their keyboard, or onscreen buttons on a tablet, the users need to identify which way the arrow in the middle is pointing. It’s easy when all arrows point in the same direction including the arrow in the middle (these are called congruent trials) but harder when the middle arrow points in the opposite direction than the other four arrows (incongruent trials). Users must achieve a high enough accuracy on the easy congruent trials for test to be considered valid. On the data portal we show the response or reaction time on the incongruent trials. In the in-depth report on executive function, we provide additional measures generated from the test. This test is based on the design of the Flanker Test in the NIHToolbox of tests of executive function (www.nihtoolbox.org).
Go/No-Go Test of Self-Control:
Users are instructed to tap the space bar or touchscreen when they see the letter P (Go stimulus) – but to refrain from tapping when they see the letter R (No-Go stimulus). Then the test switches the Go and No Go stimuli. The user must then tap when they see the letter R but not the letter P. In later trials, the Go stimuli are images of household furniture and the No Go stimuli are images of kid-friendly food. In these trials, users must “Go” on the furniture, and “No-Go” on the food. On the data portal we show the percent of time they correctly inhibit responses on the No-Go trials, which are the trials that they are NOT supposed to tap the space bar or touchscreen. This test is widely used in scientific studies of cognition.
List Sorting Working Memory Test:
Users are shown a sequence of pictures of animals like this: Bear – Bird – Bunny. The users must remember what they saw, then re-order the pictures in their minds from smallest to largest (Bird – Bunny – Bear). The correct sequence in its new order must be picked out by identifying the pictures from a grid of 12 animal pictures. The next sequence will use images of household items. The task repeats with longer sequences, alternating between animals and household items until the user can no longer keep them straight. In the second part of the test, they see a series of animals and household objects together and have to separate the two lists in their minds. Each list will need to be re-ordered separately from smallest to largest, by picking out the animals from the grid of animals and then household items from the grid of household objects. This test is based on the design of the List Sorting Working Memory Test in the NIHToolbox of tests of executive function (www.nihtoolbox.org), and is a very difficult test.
Balloon Analog Risk-Taking Test:
Users see a monkey with bubblegum. Each time they tap or click on the monkey, the bubble gets larger. The user can stop enlarging the bubble at any point, and click “Save” to collect points based on the number of clicks and the size of the bubble. They do this 30 times during the test. Each bubble can increase incrementally, up to 50 “puffs”, but can randomly explode after different numbers of inflations on different trials. If the bubble bursts before the user stops enlarging it, no points are gained. The program generates two scores for the test: the total score, which is the sum of all points earned from unpopped trials, and the adjusted score, which is the average number of bubblegum puffs on the unpopped trials. These two scores are used to identify a small number of users with scores suggesting that they may either be excessively afraid to take risks or seem to take much more risk than the large majority of their peers. More information about BART.
Brief Executive Function Screening Test (BREFST):
This test requires individuals to distinguish between different, rapidly presented visual stimuli. Sometimes memory is required, sometimes two tasks have to be done at the same time, and sometimes it is necessary to identify whether stimuli belong to specific categories of things, e.g., hot or cold things. An overall performance score is calculated based on the number of stimuli correctly identified, adjusted for the number of incorrect responses. This test is used to track growth in executive function, and users are told whether they have improved upon their previous tests by being rewarded performance medals. This test was created by the neuroscientists at C8Sciences.