Test–Retest Reliability of a Computerized Neurocognitive Battery in School-Age Children with HIV in Botswana. (20th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tsima, Billy M; Lowenthal, Elizabeth D; Van Pelt, Amelia E; Moore, Tyler M; Matshaba, Mogomotsi; Gur, Ruben C; Tshume, Ontibile; Thuto, Boitumelo; Scott, J Cobb
• Is Part Of: Archives of clinical neuropsychology. Volume 38:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 131
• Page End: 138
• Publication Date: 2022-08-20
• Subjects: Neuropsychological assessment -- Reliability -- Cognitive development -- Youth -- HIV -- Africa; Clinical neuropsychology -- Periodicals; 616.805
• DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acac066
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-6177

Abstract

Abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is prevalent among children and adolescents in Botswana, but standardized neurocognitive testing is limited. The Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery (PennCNB) attempts to streamline evaluation of neurocognitive functioning and has been culturally adapted for use among youth in this high-burden, low-resource setting. However, its reliability across measurements (i.e., test–retest reliability) is unknown. This study examined the test–retest reliability of the culturally adapted PennCNB in 65 school-age children (age 7–17) living with HIV in Botswana. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for PennCNB summary scores (ICCs > 0.80) and domain scores (ICCs = 0.66–0.88) were higher than those for individual tests, which exhibited more variability (ICCs = 0.50–0.82), with the lowest reliability on memory tests. Practice effects were apparent on some measures, especially within memory and complex cognition domains. Taken together, the adapted PennCNB exhibited adequate test–retest reliability at the domain level but variable reliability for individual tests. Differences in reliability should be considered in implementation of these tests.