weschler intelligence scale backward digit span

Thus, the Digit Sequencing test can help researchers study patients with cognitive impairment.Īttention. The usage of the Digit Sequencing test to measure attention is a controversial topic. MRI scans also indicate an activation of the prefrontal cortex during the test ( Owen et al., 2000). There’s a link established between the prefrontal cortex functions and working memory. The extra effort required in the backward version of the test can be linked to intelligence.Ĭognitive impairments. Originally designed as a part of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale, the Digit Sequencing test can indicate correlations between one’s working memory and overall intelligence. The test sheds some light on the process of encoding and receiving information, and also – on the way participants recall and verbalize their answers. As mentioned above, the Digit Span is a great tool to measure working memory and verbal working memory, in particular. The Digit Sequencing test has numerous applications in clinical practice and research. The ConductScience Digital Health mobile version of the test provides an engaging and easy-to-use platform to perform the Digit Span test.īoth options are available upon request: the ability for audible sequence priming or visual sequence priming with the ability for the respondent to answer with visual buttons on the screen. In computer-administered Digit Span tests, the digits are presented on a screen, which eliminates any verbal and reading bias. Sometimes the participant is asked to repeat the sequence of digits backward. Usually, the examiner reads a list of numbers, and the participant repeats them until an incorrect answer is given ( Blackburn, 1957). The test was originally designed to test working memory and attention, as part of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale. The Digit Sequencing or Digit Span test is one of the main tools developed to measure one’s verbal working memory. It’s accepted that the verbal working memory consists of the phonological loop and the visuospatial sketchpad. From recalling a phone number to learning a new language, the verbal working memory is a leading factor in people’s cognitive functioning. That’s not surprising: the verbal working memory plays a crucial role in one’s everyday life. Verbal working memory has been a primary focus of research. Note that usually, working memory is measured via three scales: Arithmetic, Digit Span, and Letter-Number Sequencing ( Lovett et al., 2011). Our working memory is a complicated system that allows us to process new stimuli while using old information at the same time ( Conway et al., 2005). Balances, Scales and Weighing Equipment.Both poorer DSS performance and the presence of perseveration can offer useful clinical information on the context of a thorough evaluation of the aMCI/DAT spectrum. Discontinuation of DSS due to cross-task perseveration was frequently seen in, although not unique to, the DAT group. Conclusions: The DS sequencing results differed between the three clinical groups, which is consistent with the hypothesis that working memory declines would be evident on this measure. Digit Span Sequencing was significantly different in each group (DAT < aMCI < SCC), with a high rate of the DAT group showing cross-task perseveration. Results: Those with DAT performed significantly worse for DS Forward, Backward, and Total Score versus those with aMCI and SCC, whose performances were similar. This resulted in a sample of 290 individuals with DAT, 255 with aMCI, and 161 with SCC. Method: Seven hundred and six individuals were drawn from 1256 consecutive referrals who underwent a standard neuropsychological evaluation and obtained a consensus diagnosis from a neuropsychologist and a neurologist of DAT, aMCI, or having SCC. This study examines performance on DS for individuals from a memory disorder clinic diagnosed with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), probable dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT), or those with subjective cognitive complaints (SCC). Objective: The Digit Span (DS) subtest from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-4th Edition (WAIS-IV) was updated to better measure working memory which is potentially clinically relevant as prior unreplicated studies showed that sequencing tasks differentiated normal from neurologic groups.

Weschler intelligence scale backward digit span