Dynamic Testing in a Heterogeneous Clinical Sample: A Feasibility Study

Behavioral Sciences, vol. 15, pp. 1342

Abstract

This study evaluated the feasibility of including a computerized dynamic test of analogical reasoning in standard neuropsychological assessments in a heterogeneous psychiatric population. The participants were 40 adult patients (Mage = 33.15 ± 12.27, range 19–68; 60% male) enrolled in specialized mental health and forensic care programs in The Netherlands, who were randomly assigned into either a training, a passive, or a control group. A pretest–training–posttest paradigm was used for the training group, and the dynamic test consisted of 26 items of the A:B::C:? type. In terms of practical use, it was found that the administration time varied largely, and 22% of the data was lost due to drop out or technical malfunctions. Test–retest reliability was acceptable for the training group (r = 0.61) and good for the practice and control groups (resp. r = 0.88 and 0.80). A statistical trend was observed for the training vs. practice group (Z = −1.598, p = 0.055), but not for the training vs. control group (Z = −0.839, p = 0.201). It was concluded that an indication of training effectiveness was found; however, in this clinical sample, the applicability of the current form of the dynamic test is still limited. Several modification options are discussed.

Authors 7

1. Ynès Hendriks corresponding

   Radboud University Nijmegen · Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour

   Affiliation as printed

   Centre of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatrie, 5803 AC Venray, The Netherlands

   Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525 XZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands

   STEVIG Specialized and Forensic Care of People with Intellectual Disabilities, Dichterbij, 5807 EA Oostrum, The Netherlands

2. Bart Vogelaar Aachen Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Leiden University, 2311 EZ Leiden, The Netherlands

3. R. G. Van Heeswijk
   Affiliation as printed

   Centre of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatrie, 5803 AC Venray, The Netherlands

4. Jochanan Veerbeek Aachen Education and Child Studies

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Education and Child Studies, Leiden University, 2311 EZ Leiden, The Netherlands

5. Wilma C. M. Resing Aachen Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Leiden University, 2311 EZ Leiden, The Netherlands

6. Loes van Aken

   Radboud University Nijmegen · Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour

   Affiliation as printed

   Centre of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatrie, 5803 AC Venray, The Netherlands

   Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525 XZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands

7. J.I.M. Egger

   Radboud University Nijmegen · Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour

   Affiliation as printed

   Centre of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatrie, 5803 AC Venray, The Netherlands

   Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525 XZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands

   STEVIG Specialized and Forensic Care of People with Intellectual Disabilities, Dichterbij, 5807 EA Oostrum, The Netherlands