Paper or Plastic: Another Ecological Consideration in Neuropsychological Assessment

The high volume of paper involved in the generation of neuropsychological evaluations has implications for the environment, for the cost of providing services, and for the space required to store records. One solution is to insert single-use test forms into plastic sheet protectors and provide the test taker with a fine-tipped washable marker. This study investigated whether this modification in test administration practice affects performance. Comparisons were made for 6 different neuropsychological tests: The Trail Making Test A and B, Visual Search and Attention Test, Digit Symbol Coding of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III, Digit Vigilance Test, and Symbol Digit Modalities Test. 20 college students were alternately assigned to 1 of 2 groups. Students in Group 1 were administered single-use paper-and-pencil tests. Students in Group 2 took the tests using the aforementioned modification in administration. No significant differences in performance were found when comparing standard administration practice to this more ecologically minded alternative.