Normative Data on Computerized Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task Performance

Abstract

Computerized testing has increased in popularity over the past two decades. The present study examined properties of the computerized version of the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT). The PASAT was administered to 168 college students ages 17 to 48 years with no history of neurological or emotional problems. Analysis of variance showed no significant effects of gender or age. With increasing rate of presentation, participants gave fewer correct responses. The number of errors decreased rather than increased across PASAT trials, reflecting participants' tendency to "skip" items. Additional normative data are presented. Performance on the computerized PASAT appears similar to published norms on the PASAT version presented via audiocassette. It is suggested that the computerized and audiocassette versions of the PASAT may be used as alternate forms in well-educated adults.

Working Memory Impairment in Pilots Exposed to Acute Hypobaric Hypoxia

“…The increase in HR in both groups can be attributed to a PASAT-induced stress effect. Indeed it has been shown that the PASAT is a particularly stressful test (33). The higher increase in the hypoxic group can be explained by a physiological adaptation to hypoxia.…”

“…In some rare studies, the percent correct and the number of errors are added to this score. Wingenfeld et al(33) introduced new concepts : strings of correct responses and suppression failures. The very different errors pattern of the hypoxic group emphasizes the interest of distinguishing error types.…”

Binocular low-contrast letter acuity and the symbol digit modalities test improve the ability of the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite to predict disease in pediatric multiple sclerosis

“…While the PASAT and ChiPASAT capture information processing speed, working memory, and sustained attention,(Forn et al 2008) the SDMT does not evaluate computational attention and thus some authors propose that both the PASAT and SDMT should be evaluated in adults in order to provide complimentary information(Brochet et al 2008; Drake et al 2010; Williams et al 2006). However, the PASAT has been criticized due to practice effects and skipping numbers in order to enhance performance on the task(Fisk & Archibald 2001; Wingenfeld et al 1999). The ChiPASAT utilizes smaller numbers than the PASAT, with answers only adding up to 10 in the pediatric version.…”

Remembering the Past and Foreseeing the Future while Dealing with the Present: A Comparison of Young Adult and Elderly Cohorts on a Multitask Simulation of Occupational Activities

“…See Figure 1. When the 8th, 16th, and 24th retirement party actions were correctly selected, the script grid display disappeared and an attentional task was proposed to the participant and termed a ''professional activity'' (for the sake of plausibility): the first simulated the paced auditory serial addition task or PASAT (Wingenfeld, Holdwick, Davis, & Hunter, 1999), but with visual entry; the second simulated Baddeley's way of solliciting the central executive system, the phonological loop and the visuospatial scratchpad (Baddeley, Della-Sala, Papagno, & Spinnler, 1997); the third simulated Brickenkamp's D2 test (Brickenkamp, 1962). All three of of these attention tasks sollicit effortful attention, i.e., immediate working memory (Bates & Lemay, 2004;Lockwood, Linn, Szymanski, Coad, & Wack, 2004;Richer 1 English and French language versions of the experimental software used in this study are available upon request (for research collaboration).…”