Jovanovski Diana, Zakzanis Konstantine, Campbell Zachariah, Erb Suzanne, Nussbaum David
Department of Psychology, University of Toronto at Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Appl Neuropsychol Adult. 2012;19(3):171-82. doi: 10.1080/09084282.2011.643955. Epub 2012 Jun 6.
A novel virtual reality executive function task (Multitasking in the City Test [MCT]) was developed with the aim of investigating planning and multitasking with ecological validity in mind in a normal population. Thirty healthy participants (21 females) completed a neuropsychological test battery that included the MCT along with standardized tests of executive and other cognitive functions. The sample performed within normal limits on the standardized tests. The MCT was performed successfully, although specific types of errors occurred frequently. Spearman correlation coefficients were computed between the various test measures. Only the plan score from the MCT was significantly associated with one of the executive function tests administered (Modified Six Elements Test), suggesting that both variables may be measuring a similar construct. Statistically significant correlations were also found between the MCT and the Trail-Making Test Part A and Judgment of Line Orientation, suggesting that "basic" cognitive functions such as information-processing speed and visuospatial skills are being tapped on the MCT. Preliminary evidence from this study suggested that the MCT may be an ecologically valid method of evaluating executive functioning. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
开发了一种新型虚拟现实执行功能任务（城市多任务测试 [MCT]），旨在研究正常人群中具有生态效度的计划和多任务处理能力。30名健康参与者（21名女性）完成了一套神经心理测试，其中包括MCT以及执行功能和其他认知功能的标准化测试。该样本在标准化测试中的表现处于正常范围内。尽管特定类型的错误频繁出现，但MCT仍成功完成。计算了各种测试指标之间的斯皮尔曼相关系数。只有MCT的计划分数与所实施的一项执行功能测试（改良六元素测试）显著相关，这表明这两个变量可能测量的是相似的结构。在MCT与连线测验A部分和直线定向判断之间也发现了具有统计学意义的相关性，这表明MCT正在挖掘诸如信息处理速度和视觉空间技能等“基本”认知功能。这项研究的初步证据表明，MCT可能是评估执行功能的一种具有生态效度的方法。讨论了这些发现的临床意义。
