Test Of Variables Of Attention

TEST OF VARIABLES OF ATTENTION

Test of Variables of Attention

Elizabeth Wolf

Lynn University

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“The Test of Variables of Attention (T.O.V.A) ia a computerized test of attention

that assists in screening, diagnosing, and treatment monitoring of attention disorders. Its

an objective, neurophysiological measure of attention and not an subjective measure of

behavior” (2009). The T.O.V.A uses geometric stimuli and contains two test conditions.

“The T.O.V.A immediately analyzes the results quarter by quarter and provides written

interpretation and graphics” (2009). The T.O.V.A is dedicated to establishing an

empirically based model of clinical assessment that assimilates various resources of

information in clinical diagnosis and treatment monitoring through workshops.

There are two versions of the T.O.V.A which different two different sets of

people use; the clinical version is used by. Licensed clinicians to aid them in precisely

diagnosing and treating attention disorders use one. The second version is the screening

version, which is used, in non-clinical situations like schools.

“The T.O.V.A. is 21.8 minutes long test, Variables measured T.O.V.A. measures

include variability of response time (consistency), response time, commission

(impulsivity), errors of omission (inattention), post-commission response times, multiple

and anticipatory responses, and an ADHD score, which is a comparison to an age/gender

specific ADHD group” (The Tova Company, 2009). The TOVA should never be used

alone when diagnosing a person with ADD or ADHD, comprehensive questionnaires and

clinical histories should be taking and used along with it. In my experience I filled out

questionnaires such as; prior/present medications, prior attempts to fix the problem(s),

psychiatric history, general symptom check list, brain system check list, learning

disability screening questionnaire, medical review of the systems, mood and attention

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questionnaires, neuropsychiatric system check list, a clinical history, interview, the

TOVA, and a SPECT scan (one at rest and one concentrating). Once they complied all

these information and compared it to each other and found the similarities and differences

the diagnosis could be made.

Scoring of the TOVA is as follows; “Response Time Variability: A time

measurement of how consistently the micro switch is pressed. Response Time: A time

measurement of how fast or slow information is processed and responded to. d’ Signal

Detection: A time measurement of how fast performance drops. Commission Errors: A

measure of impulsivity: how many times the non-target is pressed. Omission Errors: A

measure of inattention: how many times is the target not pressed. Post-Commission

Response Time: A time measurement of how fast or slow a response is after a

commission Error. Multiple Responses: A measure of how many times the button is

pressed repeatedly. (Indicator of other problems) Anticipatory Responses: A time

measurement how often a person is guessing rather than responding” ("Test of variables,"

2012). When looking at my scoring of the TOVA I gave atypical fast responses

accompanied by a large number of commission errors, which indicates impulsivity. The

commission errors indicated impulsive responding and difficulty with inhibiting

responses, also indicating poor attention to tasks. I was highly inconsistent in responding

to the stimuli indicating inattentiveness. I also showed unusual change in response

consistency depending on the length of time between stimuli, which indicates problems

with attention, and arousal.

ADD and ADHD have three diagnosable subtypes; classic ADHD, inattentive

type, and combined “ The T.O.V.A test can test for each of these subtypes of ADHD.

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When the subject responds to a "non-target" it is noted as an error of commission, or

impulsive. During the second half of the test, the inability for the subject to inhibit

himself or herself is measured (error of omission). If the subject responds too frequently,

they may be diagnosed with the hyperactivity type. If the subject displays both types of

errors (commission and omission), they may be diagnosed with the combined type of

ADHD” ("Test of variables," 2012). According to the TOVA, questionnaires, and clinical

history I have ADHD combined type, which means that I have low prefrontal cortex

activity when concentrating and low cerebellar activity when concentrating. Its like my

brain shuts down when I try to concentrate when it’s supposed to be active and alert,

while my resting scan was “hot” indicting a lot of brain activity when actually in a

healthy human brain you wouldn’t see many “hot” spots because the brain is at rest.

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References

(2009). Retrieved from http://www.tovatest.com/

Test of variables of attention. (2012, aug 27). Retrieved from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test_of_Variables_of_Attention

The Tova Company. (2009). About the t.o.v.a.. Retrieved from

http://www.tovatest.com/about-the-t-o-v-a/

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Test Of Variables Of Attention