Table 1.
Summary descriptions of the NIHTB battery
| Test name | Test description | Scores |
|---|---|---|
| NIHTB motor battery | ||
| 9-Hole Pegboard Dexterity Test | Assesses fine motor dexterity and the ability to coordinate the fingers and manipulate objects in a timely manner | Scores reflect time to completion (in seconds) for each hand; higher scores indicate better functioning |
| Grip Strength Dynamometry | Assesses upper extremity strength | Scores reflect the amount of force exerted in pounds of each hand; higher scores indicate better functioning |
| 2-Minute Walk Endurance Test | Assesses endurance | Scores reflect the amount of distance traveled (in feet and inches) during the 2-min time frame; higher scores indicate better functioning |
| BAM | Assesses postural sway and participants’ vestibule-spinal function | Scores reflect average accelerometer readings of postural sway across all completed poses; higher scores indicate better functioning |
| NIHTB sensation battery | ||
| Odor Identification Test | Assesses the ability to identify various odors using scratch ‘n’ sniff cards. Participants are asked to identify which of four pictures on the screen matches the odor smelled | Scores reflect the proportion of correct responses out of nine possible stimuli; higher scores indicate better functioning |
| Dynamic Visual Acuity (DVA) Static Visual Acuity | Assesses gaze stability and deficits of the vestibular ocular reflex; there is both a static and dynamic component | Scores based on a logarithmic scale in LogMAR units that reflects overall functional distance vision; higher scores indicate better functioning |
| Regional Taste Intensity—Water | Assesses the taste perception for different everyday solutions (water and quinine) | Higher scores reflect greater perceived taste intensity averaged across all solutions; higher scores indicate better functioning |
| Pain intensity | Assesses self-reported pain intensity | Scores range from 1 to 10 with higher scores indicative of greater pain intensity |
| Pain interference | Assesses the degree to which pain interferes with other activities in life | Higher scores indicated greater pain interference |
| NIHTB cognition battery | ||
| Crystallized Cognition | Assesses experience/learning-based abilities that are relatively insensitive to acquired brain dysfunction | Composite scores comprised performance on Picture Vocabulary and Oral Reading Recognition; higher scores indicate better functioning |
| Composite | ||
| Picture Vocabulary | Assesses receptive vocabulary. Participant is instructed to select the picture that most closely identifies definition of a word | Reflects the number of correct responses using item response theory; higher scores indicate better performance |
| Oral Reading Recognition Test | Assesses verbal knowledge. Participants are asked to read and pronounce letters and words as accurately as possible | Scores reflect number of letters/words that were correctly pronounced (uses item response theory); higher scores indicate better performance |
| Fluid Cognition Composite | Assesses abilities that are purported to be more reflective of biologically based brain processes changing throughout the lifespan and are sensitive to potential acquired brain injury/disease | Composite scores comprised performance on Picture Sequence Memory, Pattern Comparison Processing Speed, List Sorting Working Memory, Dimensional Change Card Sort, and Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention; higher scores indicate better functioning |
| Picture Sequence Memory | Assesses episodic memory. Participants are asked to reproduce the sequence of pictures which have been demonstrated. Sequence length varies from 6 to 18 pictures depending on the participant age | Scores reflect number of adjacent pairs that are correctly identified over two trials (uses item response theory); higher scores indicate better performance |
| Pattern Comparison Processing Speed | Assesses processing speed. Participants discern whether two side-by-side pictures are the same (yes/no) | Scores reflect number of correct items (maximum 130) completed in 90 s; higher scores indicate better performance |
| List Sorting Working Memory | Assesses working memory. Participants must sequence stimuli that are presented visually and auditorily | Scores reflect number correct for the one-and two-list versions (maximum 28); higher scores indicate better performance |
| Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention | Assesses executive functioning (inhibitory control) and attention. Requires participant to focus on a given stimulus while inhibiting attention to the stimuli flanking it | Scoring algorithm based on a combination of accuracy and reaction time; higher scores indicate better performance |
| Dimensional Change Card Sort | Assesses executive functioning (cognitive flexibility). Participants are asked to match a series of bivalent test pictures | Scoring algorithm based on a combination of accuracy and reaction time; higher scores indicate better performance |
| NIHTB emotion battery | ||
| Negative Affect Composite | Assesses unpleasant feelings and emotions | Composite scores are comprised from Anger-Affect, Anger-Hostility, Sadness, Fear-Affect, and Perceived Stress; higher scores indicate worse functioning |
| Anger-Affect | Assesses feelings of frustration and cynicism | Higher scores indicate worse functioning (uses item response theory) |
| Anger-Hostility | Assesses feelings of hostility | Higher scores indicate worse functioning (uses item response theory) |
| Sadness | Assesses feelings of depression | Higher scores indicate worse functioning (uses item response theory) |
| Fear-Affect | Assesses feeling of anxiety that reflect perceptions of threat | Higher scores indicate worse functioning (uses item response theory) |
| Perceived Stress | Assesses perceptions about the nature of events and their relationships to the values and coping resources of an individual | Higher scores indicate worse functioning (uses item response theory) |
| Social Satisfaction Composite | Assesses feelings about social relationships and support | Composite scores are comprised from Friendship, Loneliness, Emotional Support, Instrumental Support, and Perceived Rejection; higher scores indicate worse functioning |
| Friendship | Assesses perceptions about the availability of friends or companions with whom to interact or affiliate | Higher scores indicate better functioning (uses item response theory) |
| Loneliness | Assess the extent to which an individual feels alone or socially isolated from other individuals | Higher scores indicate worse functioning (uses item response theory) |
| Emotional Support | Assesses the perception that people in one's social network are available to listen to one's problems with empathy, caring, and understanding | Higher scores indicate better functioning (uses item response theory) |
| Instrumental Support | Assesses to the perception that people in one's social network are available to provide information or advice needed to solve problems that arise | Higher scores indicate better functioning (uses item response theory) |
| Perceived Rejection | Assess perceptions related to others not listening to an individual when they ask for help or being ignored | Higher scores indicate worse functioning (uses item response theory) |
| Psychological Well-Being Composite | Assesses general feelings of emotional contentment | Composite scores are comprised from General Life Satisfaction, Meaning and Purpose, and Positive Affect; higher scores indicate better functioning |
| General Life Satisfaction | Assesses feelings of satisfaction with ones owns life, including self-satisfaction and satisfaction with different aspects of life | Higher scores indicate better functioning (uses item response theory) |
| Meaning and Purpose | Assesses the extent to which individuals feel that their lives matter and or make sense | Higher scores indicate better functioning (uses item response theory) |
| Positive Affect | Assesses feelings of happiness, joy, excitement, enthusiasm, and contentment | Higher scores indicate better functioning (uses item response theory) |
| Additional Emotion measures | ||
| Perceived Hostility | Assesses perceptions of being criticized or yelled at | Higher scores indicate worse functioning (uses item response theory) |
| Anger-Physical Aggression | Assesses aggressive behaviors | Higher scores indicate worse functioning (uses item response theory) |
| Fear-Somatic Arousal | Assesses feeling of anxiety that reflect autonomic arousal | Higher scores indicate worse functioning (uses item response theory) |
| Self-Efficacy | Assesses a person's feels of control over his/her life, as well as their confidence in being able to manage their own functioning | Higher scores indicate better functioning (uses item response theory) |
Notes: NIHTB = NIH toolbox; BAM = Balance Accelerometer Measure.