symbol. The third test is Visual Reproductin, which
assessment or neuropsychological test is still limited.
The Adaptation of Neuropsychological Test
Adaptation: A Pilot Study for Memory Subtest
Lucia Trisni Widhianingtanti, Augustina Sulastri, Endang Widyorini,
Margaretha Sih Setija Utami, Haryo Goeritno, Monika Windriya Satyajati.
Faculty of Psychology, Unika Soegijapranata
Abstract
Current studies of neuropsychology have been widely developed in various countries.
neuropsychological assessment requires valid and reliable neuropsychological testing tools.
Meanwhile, in Indonesia, neuropsychological assessment has not been widely available nor
adapted. This study is a part of a longitudinal study to adapt neuropsychological tests into
Indonesian norms, particularly in Memory domains, namely Digit Span Forward (DSF), Digit
Span Backward (DSB) and Digit Span Sequence (DSS); symbol range, Visual Reproduction;
Auditory Verbal Learning. The subjects of this pilot study were 219 (two hundred and
nineteen) healthy adults with age range from of 18 to 64 years. Subjects were selected
randomly with some initial criteria for detecting the presence or absence of cognitive
dysfunction. This research uses quantitative descriptive analysis model, to determine the
difficulty level of each test items, and the results are shown using percentage of difficulty
level of each item based on memory ability of respondents.
Keywords:
Test adaptation, neuropsychology, test norms
Introduction
As a part of neuroscience studies, neurospcyhology
had develepoed into a special field in the study of
psychology. This includes on how psychology could
explain between what happens in the brain and what
people do. Perception, emotion, motivation, beliefs, and
many other topics in psychology could be explained
using neuropsychology. Thus, research conducted in
this field is developed rapidly in these recent years.
To get a deeper understanding about one’s
neuropsychological condition, first, a psychologist
should conduct a battery of assessment. A
comprehensive assessment could help psychologist and
other mental health professionals to identify the
problems in patients, which could help professionals to
conduct intervention, such as medical intervention,
rehabilitation therapy, or psychotherapy. Unfortunately,
in Indonesia, the numbers of neuropsychological
Thus, this research aims to create an adaption of
existing neuropsychological tests to be used in
Indonesian norms. Hambleton, Merendan, and
Spielberger (2005) stated that test adaptation is a series
of activity which include: measuring the same construct
and interpreting it into a different language and culture;
choosing the translator; deciding which utilities would
be used to prepare the test in second language; adapting
the test; and also checking the equity of the two
versions of the tests.
In this research, we adapt four neuropsychological
test batteries which measure memory. The first set of
tests Digit Spans, which includes Digit Span Forward
(DSF), Digit Span Backward (DSB), Digit Span
Sequence (DSS). Clients are asked to memorize a series
of numbers in these test in three modes, which are
forward, backward, and sequence. The second test is
Symbol Span, in which clients are asked to memorize
