A vigilance/continuous performance test was designed to be used for the serial testing of patients on chronic maintenance hemodialysis therapy. Correct detections, false alarms, and reaction time provided measures of an attentional deficit. A matched sample of 28 patients and 28 controls composed of nondialysands were tested. No significant differences were found between groups in correct detections and false alarms. Reaction time discriminated younger and older subjects and also dialysands and controls. The clinical usage of the test is questioned because patients resist taking the test on a serial basis every 2 wk. Motivational factors or lack of willingness to be compliant outweighed technical accomplishments.
References
1.
GinnH. E.TeschanP. E.BourneJ. R.HamblB.WardJ. W.VaughnW. K.NunnallyJ.Neurobehavioral and clinical responses to hemodialysis. Proceedings of the 11th Annual Contractor's Conference, 1978, DHEW Pub. No. (NIH) 79–1442, 107–109.
2.
MukawskiB. J.Psychological approaches to study the uremic state. Kidney International, 1975, 2, S-206–209.
3.
RosvoldH. E.MirskyA. F.SarasonI.BransomeE. B.BeckL. H.A continuous performance test of brain damage. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 1956, 20, 343–350
4.
StanbaughG.AndersonR. P.GeisslerD. A.AlexanderL.Computerized neurobehavioral indices of uremia. Paper presented at the Southeastern Dialysis and Transplantation Association, Atlanta, Georgia, August 12, 1978.
5.
TeschanP. E.GinnH. E.The nervous system. In MassryS.SellersA. L. (Eds.). Clinical aspects of uremia and dialysis. Springfield, IL: Thomas, 1977. Pp. 3–33.
6.
TeschanP. E.GinnH. E.WalkerP. J.BourneJ. R.WardJ. W.FristoeM. E.McClainL. W.Assessing adequacy of dialysis using measures of neurologic function. Proceedings of the Dialysis Transplant Forum, 1974. Pp. 160–165.
