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Protocol - Working Memory - Adult

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Description

Digit Span is an interviewer-administered test that is part of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale®, Fourth Edition (WAIS®-IV). The examiner reads the respondent a series of number sequences and then asks the respondent to repeat the numbers back in forward and in reverse order. The protocol also includes detailed scoring instructions.

Specific Instructions

Digit Span is a proprietary subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale®, Fourth Edition (WAIS®-IV). Each WAIS-IV subtest is a part of a complete WAIS-IV assessment and is not sold separately. To administer a subtest requires a licensing agreement from Pearson. Researchers should complete and return an application to pas.licensing@pearson.com. The current fee for each subtest use is $1.25 each-subject to a minimum license fee.

Availability

Limited Availability

Protocol

The Digit Span Test contains two portions. In the first portion, Digit Span (Forward), the examiner reads the respondent 14 number sequences that range from 3 to 9 digits in length one at a time and then asks the respondent to repeat the sequence in the same order.

In the second portion, Digit Span (Backward), the examiner reads the respondent 14 different number sequences that range from 3 to 8 digits in length one at a time and then asks the respondent to repeat the sequence in reverse order.

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV). Copyright © 2008 NCS Pearson, Inc. All rights reserved.

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale® and WAIS®-IV are registered trademarks of NCS Pearson, Inc.

Personnel and Training Required

Personnel should be trained by a licensed neuropsychologist or other trained medical professional experienced with the Digit Span Test. Additionally, investigators are encouraged to have quality control procedures (such as videotaping sessions, etc.) in place to maintain consistency across examiners.

Equipment Needs

The interviewer will need a copy of the test that includes the cue cards with the sequence of digits and the scoring instructions.

Requirements
Requirement CategoryRequired
Major equipment No
Specialized training No
Specialized requirements for biospecimen collection No
Average time of greater than 15 minutes in an unaffected individual No
Mode of Administration

Performance-based task

Lifestage

Adolescent, Adult, Senior

Participants

Individuals aged 16-90 years old.

Selection Rationale

The Digit Span Test was selected because it is a widely used, validated protocol that requires less time to administer than similar instruments.

Language

Chinese, English

Standards
StandardNameIDSource
Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) Working memory proto 62776-0 LOINC
Human Phenotype Ontology Memory impairment HP:0002354 HPO
Derived Variables

None

Process and Review

Expert Review Panel 4 (ERP 4) reviewed the measures in the Neurology, Psychiatric, and Psychosocial domains.

Guidance from ERP 4 included the following:

· No changes

Protocol Name from Source

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale®, Digit Span subtest, Fourth Edition (WAIS®-IV)

Source

David Wechsler. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV). Pearson Education, Inc. 2008.

The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale®, Fourth Edition (WAIS®-IV) is a proprietary instrument and can be obtained through:

Pearson
Attn: Customer Service
P.O. Box 599700
San Antonio, TX 78259
Telephone: 800.627.7271
Email: clinicalcustomersupport@pearson.com

General References

Benson, N., Hulac, D., & Kranzler, J. (2010). Independent examination of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV): What does the WAIS-IV measure? Psychological Assessment, 22(1), 121-130.

Canivez, G. L. & Watkins, M. (2010). Investigation of the factor structure of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV): Exploratory and higher order factor analyses. Psychological Assessment, 22(4), 827-836.

Lichtenberger, E. O., & Kaufman, A. S. (2009). Essentials of WAIS-IV assessment. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley.

Protocol ID

131001

Variables
Export Variables
Variable Name Variable IDVariable DescriptiondbGaP Mapping
PX131001000000 Protocol 131001 - proprietary. Check DCW for more
contact. show less
N/A
Neurology
Measure Name

Working Memory

Release Date

May 12, 2010

Definition

An interviewer-administered test that measures the ability of the respondent to process and retrieve information associated with short-term memory.

Purpose

This measure tests a respondent’s total range of function with respect to working memory. It is therefore more specific and sensitive than a measure of global mental status and can be used to assess major problems in working memory as well as minor variations that may be a consequence of normal development and aging.

Keywords

Neurology, sickle cell disease, SCD, cognition, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, aging, proprietary, gerontology, aging, geriatrics

Measure Protocols
Protocol ID Protocol Name
131001 Working Memory - Adult
131002 Working Memory - Child
Publications

Sapkota, B. R., et al. (2016) Genome-wide association study of 25(OH) Vitamin D concentrations in Punjabi Sikhs: Results of the Asian Indian diabetic heart study. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2016 April; 158: 149-156. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.12.014