Reliability and validity of the Conners' Continuous Performance Test

Appl Neuropsychol Adult. 2020 Sep-Oct;27(5):478-487. doi: 10.1080/23279095.2019.1570199. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Abstract

The Conners' Continuous Performance Test-Second Edition (CCPT-2) is a widely used measure of attention and impulsivity, however, only a minimal amount is known about its reliability. To clarify the psychometric properties of the CCPT-2, we assessed its performance stability and related it to criterion measures. A total of 91 undergraduate students completed the CCPT-2, the State-Trait Personality Inventory (STPI), and reported on sleep during two sessions approximately one week apart. They completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A) at session one and the Stroop Color and Word Test at session two. Findings indicated that the CCPT-2 had strong internal consistency, adequate test-retest reliability for commission errors and response time, poor test-retest reliability for omission errors, and practice effects for omission and commission errors. The CCPT-2 was largely unrelated to the BRIEF-A, Stroop Color and Word Test, and the STPI. More sleep was related to a quicker response time and more commission errors on the CCPT-2, and the BRIEF-A's Behavior Regulation Index was positively related to commission errors. Relative to the omission error component of the CCPT-2, commission errors and response time may be useful and stable measures of sustained attention and impulsivity.

Keywords: Attention; Continuous Performance Test; psychometrics; reliability; validity.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attention* / physiology
  • Behavior Rating Scale / standards
  • Executive Function* / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Impulsive Behavior* / physiology
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests / standards*
  • Personality Inventory / standards
  • Psychometrics / instrumentation
  • Psychometrics / standards*
  • Psychomotor Performance* / physiology
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Stroop Test / standards
  • Students
  • Universities
  • Young Adult