A COMPUTER-ADMINISTERED NEURO-BEHAVIORAL EVALUATION SYSTEM FOR OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY - RATIONALE, METHODOLOGY, AND PILOT-STUDY RESULTS

Google Scholar
  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 27  (3) , 206-212
Abstract
To facilitate the conduct of epidemiologic studies of populations at risk for or suffering from CNS dysfunction due to environmental agents, a computer-administered neurobehavioral evaluation system was developed. The system includes a set of testing programs designed to run on a microcomputer and questionnaires to facilitate interpretation of results. Standard tasks evaluating memory, psychomotor function, verbal ability, visuospatial ability, and mood were selected and adapted for computer presentation following the recommendation of an expert committee of the WHO and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. In 2 pilot surveys, test performance was influenced by age, education level, and socioeconomic status in ways consistent with prior research findings. Performance on tests of short-term memory and reaction time was negatively correlated with intensity of organic solvent exposure among industrial painters. In view of the ease of administration and data handling, high subject acceptability, and sensitivity to the effects of known neurotoxic agents, computer based assessment of CNS function holds promise for future epidemiologic research.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: