Evaluating educational bias in executive function assessments: A comparison of ReacStick and the NIH Toolbox in individuals with multiple sclerosis

<p>This study investigated the influence of educational attainment on executive function performance across two cognitive assessment tools—ReacStick (RS) and the National Institute of Health Cognition Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIH Toolbox-CB)— in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Participants with confirmed MS diagnoses completed both cognitive assessment tools, and the correlation between years of education and task performance was analyzed to evaluate the presence of educational bias. Results showed that NIH Toolbox-CB scores were significantly associated with education level, whereas RS parameters did not demonstrate this relationship. These findings suggest that RS performance may be less influenced by educational background and could offer a more equitable measure of cognitive decline. This work highlights the ongoing need to develop cognitive assessment tools that minimize educational bias in the field of neuropsychology.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Health Sciences

Year dc:date.available

2025

Author dc:creator

• Lane, Maura

Contributors dc:contributor

• Michael Switzer, Ph.D.
• Shannon Diacono, MHS

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Neuropsychology
• NIH Toolbox
• Cognitive Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/1328

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-2665