Memory span

Abstract: The Neuropsychological Screening Battery for Hispanics (NeSBHIS; Ponton et al., 1996) was developed to provide clinicians and researchers with appropriate tests and norms to assess the Latino population. However, the construct validity of the NeSBHIS is unclear, and its clinical utility is untested. This study provides data on the construct validity of this battery via factor analytic methodology. Five factors were identified: (a) a language factor, which included the Controlled Oral Word Association Test, the Ponton-Satz Boston Naming Test, and the Escala de Inteligencia Wechsler para Adultos (EIWA; Wechsler, Green, & Martinez, 1968) Digit Span; (b) a verbal learning factor, which included all the World Health Organization--University of California, Los Angeles Auditory Verbal Learning Test scores (Trials V, VII, and VIII); (c) an attentional-mental control factor, which included the EIWA Digit Symbol, Color Trails 1 and 2, and the EIWA Block Design; (d) a visuospatial factor, made up of the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test Copy and Memory and the Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices total score; and (e) a psychomotor factor, the Pin Test. This was a stable factor structure, suggesting that the NeSBHIS has a robust construct validity.

Abstract: Report of the missing member of a set depends upon retention of the other members presented. Such a missing scan reveals greater retention than does a digit span and, unlike the digit span, better retention of later than earlier presentations.

Abstract: Hulme, Maughan, and Brown (1991) provided evidence that the contribution of long-term memory to memory span performance was additive to the contribution of rehearsal rate (eg, Baddeley, 1986) The present study further explored the relationship between these two contributions in younger and older adults Speech rates and spans for short, medium, and long words and nonwords were obtained from subjects Older adults had slower speech rates and smaller spans than did younger adults Both groups’ data were fit well by linear functions relating speech rates to spans However, the slope of the function that relates speech rate to memory span was greater for words than for nonwords This finding supports the idea that long-term memory, as well as rehearsal rate, contributes to span performance, and that this contribution is not simply additive

Abstract: Aim: To examine the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation treatment (CRT) for people with opioid use disorder who were recruited into a methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) programme. Method: 120 male subjects were randomly assigned to (1) MMT plus CRT in two months or (2) MMT plus a control intervention. Subjects were assessed at the beginning, mid-point and post-intervention as well as at 1-, 3- and 6-month follow-up time points. Results: Analysis with repeated measure ANOVA showed that the CRT group performed significantly better in tests of learning, switching, processing speed, working memory and memory span. Moreover, the CRT group had significantly lower opiate use over the control group during 3-months follow-up. Analysis including only those with a history of methamphetamine use showed that the CRT group had significantly lower amphetamine use. No group differences were observed for treatment retention. Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence that adding CRT as an adjunct intervention to MMT can improve cognitive performance as well as abstinence from both opiates and stimulants.