Test of Variables of Attention
Background
The Test of Variables of Attention is a widely used cognitive assessment tool to measure
sustained attention and impulsivity. The Test of Variables of Attention is a type of Continuous Performance Test (CPT)
that can be run with visual or auditory stimuli. Lawrence Greenberg began developing the task in the 1960s to create an objective measure of attention
that was less subjective than behavioral ratings. The test was later computerized and was known as the Minnesota Computer Assessment (MCA). A
commercial version was released in 1991.
Like all CPT tests, the Test of Variables of Attention presents participants with a monotone task involving a continuous stream of simple stimuli presented at a constant pace. Some of these stimuli require a response, some of them require participants to refrain from responding.
For the visual version, participants are presented with a simple shape that can be located in two different screen positions. If the shape appears in the target screen position (top), it requires a response. If it's presented in the non-target screen position (bottom), no response should be made. Likewise, the auditory version uses two different tones, one of which is the dedicated target sound (high sound) that requires a response and the other one is the non-target (low sound) that requires participants to refrain from responding.
Participants are first tested with two blocks of low frequency target sequences before they work on two blocks of high frequency target sequences. Low frequency target blocks encourage 'inattentiveness' as the dominant response is waiting and thus participants may simply 'space out' and more easily miss target stimuli. High frequency target blocks, on the other hand, target impulsive responding as the dominant response is active responding and thus requires participants to inhibit their responses for infrequent non-targets.
A shorter procedure (runs only one block of each) is usually used for preschool children ages 4 to 5.
Task Procedure
Participants are presented 2 different square stimuli (each for 100ms) at a constant pace (every 2s). If the stimulus is a target (aka top square), they are asked to press the Spacebar. active If it's not a target (aka bottom square), they are asked to simply wait for the next stimulus.
After 50 practice trials with error feedback, the four test blocks begin, each running 162 trials. The test trials do not provide any more feedback. Low frequency target sequences run about 3.5 non-targets for every target. The ratio is reversed for the high frequency target blocks. Each test block takes about 5.5 minutes. The entire testing period takes about 24 minutes.
What it Measures
The Test of Variables of Attention is a diagnostic assessment tool of sustained attention and impulsivity.
Psychological domains
- Sustained Attention: Ability to maintain focus on a continuous repetitive task over a long time.
- Inhibitory Control: Ability to withhold a response to non-target stimuli
Main Performance Metrics
- Omission Errors: Rate of missed targets (inattention)
- Commission Errors: Rate of false alarms, or responses to non-targets (response inhibition)
- Reaction Time: Speed of responses (processing speed, alertness)
- Response Variability: Change in response speed as a measure of stability of attention
Psychiatric Conditions
Performance on the Test of Variables of Attention tends to be impaired in patients with the following conditions.
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Sleep-Disordered Breathing (SDB)
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Test Variations
The Test of Variables of Attention procedure
The Test of Variables of Attention procedure with auditory presentation.
The Test of Variables of Attention procedure designed for 4 and 5 year olds.
The Test of Variables of Attention procedure with auditory presentation for 4 and 5 year olds.
References
Search Google Scholar for peer-reviewed, published research using the Inquisit Test of Variables of Attention.
Greenberg, L.M. (1991). T.O.V.A.™ interpretation manual. Minneapolis, MN: Author.
Greenberg, L.M., & Waldman, I.D. (1993). Developmental normative data on the Test of Variable of Attention (T.O.V.A.™). Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 34, 1019–1030.
Forbes, G. B. (1998). Clinical utility of the test of variables of attention (TOVA) in the diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 54(4), 461-476.
Jensen, P. S., & Kenny, D. T. (2004). The effects of yoga on the attention and behavior of boys with Attention-Deficit/hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). J Atten Disord, 7(4), 205-216.