Utility of Paper Pencil Tests for the Assessment of Psychomotor Performance - a Study with Chlorpheniramine

Background

The effects of drugs on psychomotor performance have been investigated using a variety of techniques. But the various techniques used are often complex and sometimes inconvenient. Paper and pencil tests do not need complex equipment, they are easy to administer and replicate. That's why the present study was planned to assess the utility of paper pencil test for conducting psychomotor studies.

Materials and methods

Following each single dose of chlorpheniramine 4 mg or placebo, 24 subjects performed paper pencil tests- six digit cancellation test, digit symbol substitution test and arithmetic ability at 0, 2, and 4 hours interval. Subjective assessment was done by three different visual analogue scales in the double blind placebo controlled study.

Results

In all the paper pencil tests performance was impaired by chlorpheniramine significantly at 2 hours and 4 hours in comparison to placebo. These findings were also reflected in the subjective assessment of visual analogue scales.

Conclusion

It can be concluded from the study that paper and pencil tests are useful tools for the assessment of psychomotor performance. Paper pencil test should be the part of battery of psychometric tests.