Digital and traditional executive function assessment tools for healthy adults: a systematic review of psychometric properties

Digital and traditional executive function assessment tools for healthy adults: a systematic review of psychometric properties | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Systematic Review Digital and traditional executive function assessment tools for healthy adults: a systematic review of psychometric properties Telesmagno Neves-Teles, Jonatha Berguer de Souza, Rosa Maria Martins de Almeida This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8544898/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Objective : This systematic review examined executive function assessment tools (EFATs) for healthy adults, focusing on assessed constructs, psychometric properties, and suitability for online or Brazilian use. Methods : Following PRISMA guidelines, searches were conducted in five databases and gray literature. Inclusion required studies reporting validity, reliability, or related metrics for EFATs applied to healthy adults. Results : Twenty-nine studies were included. Thirteen introduced novel tools; sixteen evaluated preexisting EFATs. Frequently assessed components were inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. The most used tools were the Stroop, Digit Span, and Trail Making Test. Although digital EFATs predominated, only four had Brazilian versions. Conclusion : Most EFATs aligned with the three-component model of executive functions. Online tools, including serious games, represent a growing trend in cognitive assessment research. Further development and cross-cultural validation are needed in Brazil. Registration : PROSPERO (CRD42023459513) Psychology Cognitive Neuroscience executive functions healthy adults assessment tools digital tests psychometrics Full Text Additional Declarations The authors declare no competing interests. Supplementary Files SupplementaryMaterial.pdf Supplementary materials Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8544898","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Systematic Review","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":571066727,"identity":"0f520932-7a30-4660-9348-69087a7825c1","order_by":0,"name":"Telesmagno 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assessment tools, digital tests, psychometrics","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8544898/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8544898/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eObjective\u003c/strong\u003e: This systematic review examined executive function assessment tools (EFATs) for healthy adults, focusing on assessed constructs, psychometric properties, and suitability for online or Brazilian use.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethods\u003c/strong\u003e: Following PRISMA guidelines, searches were conducted in five databases and gray literature. Inclusion required studies reporting validity, reliability, or related metrics for EFATs applied to healthy adults.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResults\u003c/strong\u003e: Twenty-nine studies were included. Thirteen introduced novel tools; sixteen evaluated preexisting EFATs. Frequently assessed components were inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. The most used tools were the Stroop, Digit Span, and Trail Making Test. Although digital EFATs predominated, only four had Brazilian versions.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusion\u003c/strong\u003e: Most EFATs aligned with the three-component model of executive functions. Online tools, including serious games, represent a growing trend in cognitive assessment research. 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