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Comparing Performance of Young Adults on a Computer-based Version of the Austin Maze and the Conventional Form of the Test

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 January 2013

Adam McKay ,
Shuzi Lee ,
Rene Stolwyk  and
Jennie Ponsford
Adam McKay*
Affiliation:
School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth Hospital, Melbourne, Australia Epworth Rehabilitation, Epworth Healthcare, Melbourne, Australia
Shuzi Lee
Affiliation:
School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Rene Stolwyk
Affiliation:
School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Jennie Ponsford
Affiliation:
School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Adam McKay, School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Wellington Road, Building 17, VIC 3800, Australia. E-mail: Adam.Mckay@monash.edu
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Abstract

The Austin Maze has declined in use in both clinical and research contexts due to difficulties in accessing the conventional button-box form of the test. Computer-based versions of the Austin Maze offer a potential means of making the test more accessible, but as yet there is limited evidence regarding the equivalence of computer and conventional versions of the Austin Maze. The present study compared performance on a computer version of the Austin Maze by Bray and McDonald with performance on the traditional button maze in 63 participants aged 18–27 years. The results showed no differences between the computer and conventional versions in terms of mean scores and distributions, and performances on the two versions were significantly correlated. Examination of correlates found no relationship between Austin Maze performance and years of education or age for either version of the Austin Maze performance. Intellectual function was modestly associated with performance on the conventional version but not the computer version. Overall, these findings suggest that scores on the Bray and McDonald computer version of the Austin Maze produces comparable scores to the conventional form of the test and can be interpreted using existing normative data.

Keywords

Austin Mazecomputerequivalencevalidation
Type
Articles
Information
Brain Impairment , Volume 13 , Issue 3 , December 2012 , pp. 339 - 346
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2013

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