No Cover Image

E-Thesis 466 views 464 downloads

Information Processing Speed in Ageing: Is it task dependent? / Anna Torrens-Burton

Swansea University Author: Anna Torrens-Burton

DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUthesis.40835

Abstract

Evidence indicates that information processing speed slows as age increases and disproportionately so with impaired cognition and various neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. The new DSM-5 criteria for neuro-cognitive disorders state that measuring information processing speed ass...

Full description

Published: 2018
Institution: Swansea University
Degree level: Doctoral
Degree name: Ph.D
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40835
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
first_indexed 2018-06-28T13:30:37Z
last_indexed 2020-09-02T03:04:50Z
id cronfa40835
recordtype RisThesis
fullrecord <?xml version="1.0"?><rfc1807><datestamp>2020-09-01T16:37:19.6790825</datestamp><bib-version>v2</bib-version><id>40835</id><entry>2018-06-28</entry><title>Information Processing Speed in Ageing: Is it task dependent?</title><swanseaauthors><author><sid>621559ffe980feb22a78a64131a025dc</sid><ORCID>NULL</ORCID><firstname>Anna</firstname><surname>Torrens-Burton</surname><name>Anna Torrens-Burton</name><active>true</active><ethesisStudent>true</ethesisStudent></author></swanseaauthors><date>2018-06-28</date><abstract>Evidence indicates that information processing speed slows as age increases and disproportionately so with impaired cognition and various neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer&#x2019;s disease. The new DSM-5 criteria for neuro-cognitive disorders state that measuring information processing speed associated with attentional function should be included within dementia diagnosis. However, what is not clarified is that outcome variability can occur, in part, as a result of methodological factors i.e. type of attention-related test/ attentional function and by person-related factors such as sex and education. In addition, there appears to be a dichotomy between the types of tests used within research studies and clinical settings which should be addressed [Haworth et al, 2016].The aim of the research presented in this thesis was to investigate how using different tests of attentional function in similar groups of young and older adults may affect the outcome measure of information processing speed (RT) and its variability (IIV). Part of this aim was to determine whether the number of trials may influence performance i.e. RT, IIV and accuracy (number of errors). Another aim was to determine whether result outcome is affected similarly across tests by a variety of person-related factors i.e. sex, education, objective cognitive measures and particularly previously un-tested factors of subjective memory function and perceived test difficulty which may help determine whether subjective feelings are associated with slower and more variable information processing speed and may influence study outcome.The first study [Chapter 2] comprised of a visual search test commonly used in research as a sensitive measure of ageing upon RT and IIV and attentional shifting, yet not examined particularly in relation to subjective memory function and perceived test difficulty. Results indicated that information processing speed was significantly slowed in older compared to younger adults and attentional shifting was poorer in older adults. There was no relationship with subjective memory function whereas the influence of sex, education and perceived test difficulty were dependent on the condition and age.In the second, larger study including the Trail Making Test (TMT), Simple reaction time (RT) test, Choice RT test and Multi-Item Localization test (MILO) [Chapters 3- 5], the results indicated that in all tests older adults were significantly slower and more variable than young adults at group level. Person-related factors were influential depending on the test used. Subjective memory function and education were only influential within conditions of the MILO and perceived test difficulty influential in Trails B and Choice RT. Large effect sizes in visual search, MILO and the Choice RT suggested they were most sensitive to ageing effects. In conclusion, we speculate which attentional tests may be more useful in research and than those already used in clinical settings i.e. TMT and highlight the need to take into consideration different factors depending on the attentional test used so as not to misinterpret normal levels of information processing speed in ostensibly healthy aging.</abstract><type>E-Thesis</type><journal/><publisher/><keywords>information processing speed, reaction time, ageing, mild cognitive impairment, Alzhiemer&#x2019;s disease, subjective memory function</keywords><publishedDay>31</publishedDay><publishedMonth>12</publishedMonth><publishedYear>2018</publishedYear><publishedDate>2018-12-31</publishedDate><doi>10.23889/SUthesis.40835</doi><url/><notes/><college>COLLEGE NANME</college><department>Psychology</department><CollegeCode>COLLEGE CODE</CollegeCode><institution>Swansea University</institution><degreelevel>Doctoral</degreelevel><degreename>Ph.D</degreename><apcterm/><lastEdited>2020-09-01T16:37:19.6790825</lastEdited><Created>2018-06-28T09:35:41.0653588</Created><path><level id="1">Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences</level><level id="2">School of Psychology</level></path><authors><author><firstname>Anna</firstname><surname>Torrens-Burton</surname><orcid>NULL</orcid><order>1</order></author></authors><documents><document><filename>0040835-28062018093659.pdf</filename><originalFilename>Torrens-Burton_Anna_Final_PhD_thesis_Redacted.pdf</originalFilename><uploaded>2018-06-28T09:36:59.0970000</uploaded><type>Output</type><contentLength>4615394</contentLength><contentType>application/pdf</contentType><version>E-Thesis &#x2013; open access</version><cronfaStatus>true</cronfaStatus><embargoDate>2018-06-28T00:00:00.0000000</embargoDate><copyrightCorrect>true</copyrightCorrect></document></documents><OutputDurs/></rfc1807>
spelling 2020-09-01T16:37:19.6790825 v2 40835 2018-06-28 Information Processing Speed in Ageing: Is it task dependent? 621559ffe980feb22a78a64131a025dc NULL Anna Torrens-Burton Anna Torrens-Burton true true 2018-06-28 Evidence indicates that information processing speed slows as age increases and disproportionately so with impaired cognition and various neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. The new DSM-5 criteria for neuro-cognitive disorders state that measuring information processing speed associated with attentional function should be included within dementia diagnosis. However, what is not clarified is that outcome variability can occur, in part, as a result of methodological factors i.e. type of attention-related test/ attentional function and by person-related factors such as sex and education. In addition, there appears to be a dichotomy between the types of tests used within research studies and clinical settings which should be addressed [Haworth et al, 2016].The aim of the research presented in this thesis was to investigate how using different tests of attentional function in similar groups of young and older adults may affect the outcome measure of information processing speed (RT) and its variability (IIV). Part of this aim was to determine whether the number of trials may influence performance i.e. RT, IIV and accuracy (number of errors). Another aim was to determine whether result outcome is affected similarly across tests by a variety of person-related factors i.e. sex, education, objective cognitive measures and particularly previously un-tested factors of subjective memory function and perceived test difficulty which may help determine whether subjective feelings are associated with slower and more variable information processing speed and may influence study outcome.The first study [Chapter 2] comprised of a visual search test commonly used in research as a sensitive measure of ageing upon RT and IIV and attentional shifting, yet not examined particularly in relation to subjective memory function and perceived test difficulty. Results indicated that information processing speed was significantly slowed in older compared to younger adults and attentional shifting was poorer in older adults. There was no relationship with subjective memory function whereas the influence of sex, education and perceived test difficulty were dependent on the condition and age.In the second, larger study including the Trail Making Test (TMT), Simple reaction time (RT) test, Choice RT test and Multi-Item Localization test (MILO) [Chapters 3- 5], the results indicated that in all tests older adults were significantly slower and more variable than young adults at group level. Person-related factors were influential depending on the test used. Subjective memory function and education were only influential within conditions of the MILO and perceived test difficulty influential in Trails B and Choice RT. Large effect sizes in visual search, MILO and the Choice RT suggested they were most sensitive to ageing effects. In conclusion, we speculate which attentional tests may be more useful in research and than those already used in clinical settings i.e. TMT and highlight the need to take into consideration different factors depending on the attentional test used so as not to misinterpret normal levels of information processing speed in ostensibly healthy aging. E-Thesis information processing speed, reaction time, ageing, mild cognitive impairment, Alzhiemer’s disease, subjective memory function 31 12 2018 2018-12-31 10.23889/SUthesis.40835 COLLEGE NANME Psychology COLLEGE CODE Swansea University Doctoral Ph.D 2020-09-01T16:37:19.6790825 2018-06-28T09:35:41.0653588 Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences School of Psychology Anna Torrens-Burton NULL 1 0040835-28062018093659.pdf Torrens-Burton_Anna_Final_PhD_thesis_Redacted.pdf 2018-06-28T09:36:59.0970000 Output 4615394 application/pdf E-Thesis – open access true 2018-06-28T00:00:00.0000000 true
title Information Processing Speed in Ageing: Is it task dependent?
spellingShingle Information Processing Speed in Ageing: Is it task dependent?
Anna Torrens-Burton
title_short Information Processing Speed in Ageing: Is it task dependent?
title_full Information Processing Speed in Ageing: Is it task dependent?
title_fullStr Information Processing Speed in Ageing: Is it task dependent?
title_full_unstemmed Information Processing Speed in Ageing: Is it task dependent?
title_sort Information Processing Speed in Ageing: Is it task dependent?
author_id_str_mv 621559ffe980feb22a78a64131a025dc
author_id_fullname_str_mv 621559ffe980feb22a78a64131a025dc_***_Anna Torrens-Burton
author Anna Torrens-Burton
author2 Anna Torrens-Burton
format E-Thesis
publishDate 2018
institution Swansea University
doi_str_mv 10.23889/SUthesis.40835
college_str Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
hierarchytype
hierarchy_top_id facultyofmedicinehealthandlifesciences
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofmedicinehealthandlifesciences
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
department_str School of Psychology{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences{{{_:::_}}}School of Psychology
document_store_str 1
active_str 0
description Evidence indicates that information processing speed slows as age increases and disproportionately so with impaired cognition and various neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. The new DSM-5 criteria for neuro-cognitive disorders state that measuring information processing speed associated with attentional function should be included within dementia diagnosis. However, what is not clarified is that outcome variability can occur, in part, as a result of methodological factors i.e. type of attention-related test/ attentional function and by person-related factors such as sex and education. In addition, there appears to be a dichotomy between the types of tests used within research studies and clinical settings which should be addressed [Haworth et al, 2016].The aim of the research presented in this thesis was to investigate how using different tests of attentional function in similar groups of young and older adults may affect the outcome measure of information processing speed (RT) and its variability (IIV). Part of this aim was to determine whether the number of trials may influence performance i.e. RT, IIV and accuracy (number of errors). Another aim was to determine whether result outcome is affected similarly across tests by a variety of person-related factors i.e. sex, education, objective cognitive measures and particularly previously un-tested factors of subjective memory function and perceived test difficulty which may help determine whether subjective feelings are associated with slower and more variable information processing speed and may influence study outcome.The first study [Chapter 2] comprised of a visual search test commonly used in research as a sensitive measure of ageing upon RT and IIV and attentional shifting, yet not examined particularly in relation to subjective memory function and perceived test difficulty. Results indicated that information processing speed was significantly slowed in older compared to younger adults and attentional shifting was poorer in older adults. There was no relationship with subjective memory function whereas the influence of sex, education and perceived test difficulty were dependent on the condition and age.In the second, larger study including the Trail Making Test (TMT), Simple reaction time (RT) test, Choice RT test and Multi-Item Localization test (MILO) [Chapters 3- 5], the results indicated that in all tests older adults were significantly slower and more variable than young adults at group level. Person-related factors were influential depending on the test used. Subjective memory function and education were only influential within conditions of the MILO and perceived test difficulty influential in Trails B and Choice RT. Large effect sizes in visual search, MILO and the Choice RT suggested they were most sensitive to ageing effects. In conclusion, we speculate which attentional tests may be more useful in research and than those already used in clinical settings i.e. TMT and highlight the need to take into consideration different factors depending on the attentional test used so as not to misinterpret normal levels of information processing speed in ostensibly healthy aging.
published_date 2018-12-31T03:52:00Z
_version_ 1763752563571687424
score 11.014067

Similar Items