Gender differences in neurocognitive assessments: insights from a pilot study with the International Neurocognitive Test Profile (INCP) digital battery.
Bernd Maierhofer, Daria Grigoryeva, Beatrice Beck, Johann Lehrner
{"title":"Gender differences in neurocognitive assessments: insights from a pilot study with the International Neurocognitive Test Profile (INCP) digital battery.","authors":"Bernd Maierhofer, Daria Grigoryeva, Beatrice Beck, Johann Lehrner","doi":"10.1007/s40211-024-00510-6","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The aging global population has led to an increase in the number of dementia diagnoses, with projections indicating a continued upward trend. This demographic change presents profound challenges for patients, their families, and healthcare systems worldwide. Consequently, the demand for reliable and user-friendly screening tools that can detect dementia at early stages and monitor its progression is more critical than ever. The International Neurocognitive Test Profile (INCP), developed at the Medical University of Vienna, aims to address this need by offering a digital test battery for the early detection of dementia. This study forms a part of the INCP's ongoing development and evaluation, specifically investigating the influence of gender on test outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Seventy participants, recruited through flyers at the Vienna General Hospital, completed the INCP assessment using tablets as part of the study. The effect of gender on performance across various INCP subtests was analyzed using Mann-Whitney U tests. For further exploratory analysis, a correlation matrix was calculated encompassing demographic variables (age and education), screening data, and all INCP subtests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analysis revealed significant gender differences in two INCP subtests related to executive functions. Males outperformed females on the Figure Fluency Test (r = 0.30, indicating a moderate effect) and the Dice 2‑n Back Test (r = 0.29, indicating a small effect). However, when correcting for multiple comparisons, no significant gender disparities were observed in the scores of the subtests.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The identification of possible gender differences in specific subtests underscores the importance of considering gender as a variable in the further development and evaluation of the INCP. These findings offer valuable insights for the design and planning of future studies involving the INCP.</p>","PeriodicalId":44560,"journal":{"name":"NEUROPSYCHIATRIE","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1000,"publicationDate":"2024-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"NEUROPSYCHIATRIE","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40211-024-00510-6","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"PSYCHIATRY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: The aging global population has led to an increase in the number of dementia diagnoses, with projections indicating a continued upward trend. This demographic change presents profound challenges for patients, their families, and healthcare systems worldwide. Consequently, the demand for reliable and user-friendly screening tools that can detect dementia at early stages and monitor its progression is more critical than ever. The International Neurocognitive Test Profile (INCP), developed at the Medical University of Vienna, aims to address this need by offering a digital test battery for the early detection of dementia. This study forms a part of the INCP's ongoing development and evaluation, specifically investigating the influence of gender on test outcomes.
Methods: Seventy participants, recruited through flyers at the Vienna General Hospital, completed the INCP assessment using tablets as part of the study. The effect of gender on performance across various INCP subtests was analyzed using Mann-Whitney U tests. For further exploratory analysis, a correlation matrix was calculated encompassing demographic variables (age and education), screening data, and all INCP subtests.
Results: The analysis revealed significant gender differences in two INCP subtests related to executive functions. Males outperformed females on the Figure Fluency Test (r = 0.30, indicating a moderate effect) and the Dice 2‑n Back Test (r = 0.29, indicating a small effect). However, when correcting for multiple comparisons, no significant gender disparities were observed in the scores of the subtests.
Conclusion: The identification of possible gender differences in specific subtests underscores the importance of considering gender as a variable in the further development and evaluation of the INCP. These findings offer valuable insights for the design and planning of future studies involving the INCP.
期刊介绍:
Die Zeitschrift ist das offizielle Organ der „Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik (ÖGPP)'', und wissenschaftliches Organ der Österreichischen Alzheimer Gesellschaft, der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, der Österreichischen Schizophreniegesellschaft, und der pro mente austria - Österreichischer Dachverband der Vereine und Gesellschaften für psychische und soziale Gesundheit.Sie veröffentlicht Übersichten zu relevanten Themen des Fachs, Originalarbeiten, Kasuistiken sowie Briefe an die Herausgeber. Zudem wird auch Buchbesprechungen sowie Neuigkeiten aus den Bereichen Personalia, Standes- und Berufspolitik sowie Kongressankündigungen Raum gewidmet.Thematisch ist das Fach Psychiatrie und die Methoden der Psychotherapie in allen ihren Facetten vertreten. Die Zeitschrift richtet sich somit an alle Berufsgruppen, die sich mit Ursachen, Erscheinungsformen und Behandlungsmöglichkeiten von psychischen Störungen beschäftigen. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------· The professional and educational journal of the Austrian Society of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (Österreichische Gesellschaft für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik; ÖGPP) and the Austrian Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy (Österreichische Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie; ÖGKJP)· Overviews of all relevant topics pertaining to the discipline· Intended for all occupational groups committed to the causes and manifestations of, as well as therapy options for psychic disorders· All manuscripts principally pass through a double-blind peer review process involving at least two independent expertsThe official journal of the Austrian Societies of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (ÖGPP) and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy (ÖGKJP)The journal publishes overviews of relevant issues in the field, original work, case reports and letters to the editors. In addition, space is devoted to book reviews, news from the areas of personnel matters and professional policies, and conference announcements.Thematically, the discipline of psychiatry and the methods of psychotherapy are represented in all their facets. The journal is thus aimed at all professional groups committed to the causes and manifestations of, as well as therapy options for psychic disorders