Assessment of the usability of a computerized Stroop Test for clinical application

Abstract

The color-word Stroop paradigm is a neuropsychological test often employed for the evaluation of the cognitive processing when a conflict between different attributes of the same visual stimulus is present. In clinical environments, the standard practice for the Stroop test administration is still based on paper supports and stopwatches. Thus, the aim of the present pilot study was to investigate the usability in clinical practice of a completely computerized system for the Stroop test administration. The computerized system developed for this study was made up of the following modules: i) a PC for stimuli administration and data acquisition connected to two monitors (one for the user, the other for the experimenter); ii) a response system composed of three colored electronic buttons; iii) a wireless electroencephalography (EEG) acquisition module (i.e. headset and dedicated software). The system was installed in the IRCCS Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation and tested on 7 subjects hospitalized in the neurorehabilitation Unit. The developed system was able to provide information about the subjects' reaction time to stimuli in addition to the traditional behavioral scores. Moreover, the integrated EEG acquisition module allowed monitoring the user's engagement during the test through the computation of a simple EEG-based evaluation index. We believe that this pilot study could set a further step towards the clinical use of computerized systems to monitor cognitive functions.