Precision of the Integrated Cognitive Assessment for the assessment of neurocognitive performance in athletes

Abstract

This study investigated the precision of the Integrated Cognitive Assessment (ICA; Cognetivity Neurosciences Ltd., Vancouver, Canada) test for the assessment of information processing ability in athletes. Thirty-one participants took part in this study. Participants were eligible if they were a current contact sport or non-contact sport athlete, aged 18-40 years, and healthy; having no underlying medical issues that affect participation in sport. Participants were excluded if they were injured, pregnant, or suffering from post-concussion syndrome. Participants performed the ICA test consecutively both before and after a normal training session to simulate resting and post-sport conditions. Precision errors, relationships (Pearson’s r), and internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha) were calculated for three variables, ICA Index (overall information processing ability), ICA Speed (information processing speed) and ICA Accuracy (information processing accuracy). ICA precision errors [root mean squared-standard deviation, RMS-SD (coefficient of variation, %CV)] pre-sport were: ICA Index: 5.18 (7.14%), ICA Speed: 3.98 (4.64%), and ICA Accuracy: 3.64 (5.00%); and post-sport were ICA Index: 3.96 (4.94%), ICA Speed: 2.14 (2.32%), and ICA Accuracy 3.40 (4.25%). The ICA test demonstrates high in-vivo precision with all variables except ICA Index (7.14%) demonstrating an acceptable precision error of ≤5% %CV.