Validation of computer-based FORAMENRehab program for neuropediatric attention and visuospatial assessment

Abstract

There is a need for more validated computerized assessment methods in Estonia for neuropediatric patients with cognitive deficits. Attention and visuospatial problems are common in children with epilepsy and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The aim of this study was to validate the use of FORAMENRehab computerized cognitive tasks in attention and visuospatial assessment of children with epilepsy or TBI. 115 children aged 8-12 participated in the study: 60 healthy children without attention or visuospatial deficit and 55 neuropediatric patients with the aforestated problems. The participants completed 9 attention and 7 visuospatial tasks with FORAMENRehab software. A subsample of patients was retested 5 weeks later. They also completed the attention and visuospatial tasks of the neuropsychological assessment battery NEPSY. Analysis of age-appropriate performance in FORAMENRehab revealed, that there were no age-related differences in attention and visuospatial functions between children aged 10-12. Initial evidence for the construct validity of the FORAMENRehab attention and visuospatial modules was found, as tasks that were connected to specific attention components and visuospatial functions loaded together in factor analysis. Evidence for criterion validity was also found, as 8 tasks correlated with similar tasks from NEPSY. Test-retest reliability was satisfactory with 5 out of 15 tasks. The results indicate that although certain tasks need revision, there is preliminary evidence for the usefulness of FORAMENRehab in computer-based cognitive testing.