Task Library

The Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) is a widely used cognitive test designed to assess sustained attention and reaction time. It is the de-facto gold standard for objectively assessing behavioral alertness and very sensitive to sleep loss and circadian misalignment. Furthermore, due to its simplicity, the PVT is not affected by aptitude or practice effects like the majority of other, more complex cognitive tests.

How it works?

The PVT measures response times to stimuli that are presented at random inter-stimulus intervals. The precise measurement of these response times is of critical importance for the validity of the PVT. The test records reaction times, lapses, false starts, etc.

Key Advantages

• Sensitivity to Subtle Changes:

The PVT can detect even small impairments in attention and alertness.

• Minimal Practice Effects:

Repeated testing with the PVT does not significantly affect performance, allowing for reliable longitudinal assessments.

• Ease of Administration:

The PVT is a simple and straightforward test that can be administered in various settings.

Applications of PVT

• Sleep Research

• Occupational Settings

• Medication Research

• Aging Research

• Sports and Exercise Science

Web-based PVT by NeuroUX

‍NeuroUX offers a web-based version of PVT which can be administered on a smartphone web browser, enabling participants to perform the test on their devices without the need for app installation. The test can be accessed through a simple text message link.

Available Versions:

• PVT (Standard Version):

This version replicates the traditional PVT with a 10-minute testing duration. It offers comprehensive data on sustained attention and reaction times, making it ideal for in-depth studies.

• PVT-B (Brief Version):

Our PVT-B condenses the traditional format into a quick 3-minute assessment. While more compact, it retains the core features necessary for meaningful insights, offering a balance of efficiency and precision.

Both versions are accessible via our web-based platform, ensuring seamless integration into remote or in-lab studies.

Quick Tap 1 is designed to assess processing speed and reaction time. Participants are first given a brief animated tutorial where they are instructed to tap a target image as quickly as possible. Once the test begins, the target image is presented at randomized intervals between 1 to 5 seconds. A response is considered correct if the target is tapped within 2 seconds. Responses are considered incorrect if the target is tapped too early or not tapped at all. Immediate feedback can be provided after each trial to enhance engagement and understanding.

Quick Tap 2 is designed to assess response inhibition using a classic go/no-go paradigm. Participants start with a brief animated tutorial, where they learn to tap a target image (e.g., a dog) as quickly as possible while avoiding a foil image (e.g., a cat). During the test, images are presented at randomized intervals of 1 to 5 seconds. A response is considered correct if the target image is tapped within 2 seconds. Responses are considered incorrect if the target is tapped too early, not tapped at all, or if the foil image is tapped. Immediate feedback can be provided after each trial to enhance engagement and understanding.

Memory Matrix is a visual working memory task. The task begins with a brief animated tutorial that orients participants to the test. During the test, participants are shown a grid of square tiles. A random selection of tiles are then highlighted for one second. As participants correctly identify the tiles, the difficulty of the task increases. The grid expands in both size and the number of highlighted tiles, starting with a 2x2 grid and progressing up to a challenging 7x7 grid. When a participant gives an incorrect response, the test automatically re-adjusts to the previous level. The test ends after three incorrect responses.

The N-Back Test uses the classic n-back paradigm to assess working memory and cognitive control. The test has two versions: a 1-back version and a 2-back version. The test involves presenting a sequence of letters and asking the participant to indicate whether the current letter matches the one presented n steps earlier in the sequence. The "n" in the test refers to how many steps back the participant needs to compare the current stimulus.

In the 1-back version, participants are instructed to click "yes" if the current letter matches the letter from one step ago. For example, if the first letter is "A" and the second letter is "A," the participant should click "yes." If the first letter is "A" and the second letter is "B," the participant should click "no."

In the 2-back version, participants are instructed to click "yes" if the current letter matches the letter from two steps back. For example, if the sequence starts with "A," "B," and the third letter is "A," the participant should click "yes." If the sequence starts with "A," "B," and the third letter is "B," the participant should click "no," as the letter does not match the one from two steps earlier.

In both versions, participants first view a brief animated tutorial explaining the instructions. Each letter is displayed for 2 seconds, and the trial times out after 5 seconds, requiring a response within that time. The test is typically administered in blocks of 20 trials (i.e., letters).

The Digital Symbol Substitution task measures processing speed. The task begins with a brief animated tutorial in which participants are instructed to match 5 different symbols with corresponding numbers. Once the 60-second session starts, participants are shown a symbol and then must identify and click the corresponding number as quickly as possible. After each selection, a new symbol appears. The digit symbol pairs remain the same throughout the session but change in future sessions.

The Trail Making task consists of three versions: Numeric, Alphabet, and Alphanumeric. In each version, participants are instructed to connect numbers and/or letters in the correct sequence by tapping on them. Correct selections are highlighted in green, and are accompanied by a positive sound alert. If an incorrect selection is made, a negative sound alert will play, and the sequence will not progress until the correct item is chosen. The task concludes once all items are tapped in the correct order.

The Numeric Version is designed to assess visual scanning and processing speed:
- Participants are instructed to tap the numbers in ascending order (i.e., 1 → 2 → 3...).
- Numbers are randomly placed on the screen, with a different placement on the screen each administration.

The Alphabet Version is designed to assess visual scanning and processing speed:
- Participants are instructed to tap the letters in alphabetical order (i.e., A → B → C...).
- Letters are randomly placed on the screen, with a different placement on the screen each administration.

The Alphanumeric Version is designed to assess executive function, particularly cognitive flexibility:
- Participants are instructed to tap the numbers and letters in alternating order (e.g., 1 → A → 2 → B → 3 → C...).
- A mix of numbers and letters are randomly placed on the screen, with a different placement on the screen each administration.

Hand Swype is designed to assess cognitive flexibility by testing the ability to quickly adapt to changing instructions. In this 60-second task, red or green hands appear on the screen, pointing and moving in different directions (up, down, left, right). The instructions change throughout the task, prompting participants to swipe the screen based on both the current color of the hands and the current instructions.

For example, instructions may state:
- If the hand is Red, swipe in the direction the hand is moving.
- If the hand is Green, swipe in the direction the hand is pointing.

Then the instructions may switch to:
- If the hand is Red, swipe in the direction the hand is pointing.
- If the hand is Green, swipe in the direction the hand is moving.

Participants receive a brief animated tutorial prior to the task and receive feedback throughout the task to guide and encourage them.