Home Base

Home Base is a supplemental material used with two NIH Toolbox V2 tests: Dimensional Change Card Sort and Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention. These two tests were normed using Home Base, so all V2 administrations of these two tests should utilize Home Base. 

Home Base was NOT used during the NIH Toolbox V3 normative data collection study, so Home Base should NOT be used with any V3 test. 

Information about NIH Toolbox V2 Home Base:

Home Base is utilized in two executive function tests to attempt to find a standard place near the touch screen for everyone, because each trial measures reaction time for ages 8+, and this comprises half of the score.

For Flanker, reaction time is only used in scoring "arrow" items, not fish items. As such, Home Base was removed fish items, because where the child places his/her finger is not as critical. In addition, our data indicate that they often do not place their fingers on the Home Base regardless of instruction, so it is not useful for young children. However, if a 3-7-year-old performs well enough to be administered the Flanker "arrow" items (standard fare for ages 8+), reaction time does count in the score, and the software introduces the concept of home base at that point, before any live arrow items.

DCCS is set up similarly, where for ages 3-7, reaction time is only used for the "mixed" trials, and Home Base is introduced before these items, if the child reaches them.

Pattern Comparison is a timed test overall, so one could certainly use Home Base if one wanted; however, it was felt that the test is more about the speed of processing, and so the participant's hand should be close to the screen to respond quickly or whatever is comfortable for them. It was not deemed as important to have a Home Base. If a researcher wanted to use a Home Base, that could be okay, but it could slow response time, theoretically, since items are not scored individually but the overall performance in 85 seconds is.

To download a printable Home Base for free, please log into your account at NIHToolbox.org. Please note that Cognition access approval on NIHToolbox.org is required.