Practice effects persist over two decades of cognitive testing: Implications for longitudinal research.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Repeated cognitive testing can boost scores due to practice effects (PEs), yet it remains unclear whether PEs persist across multiple follow-ups and long durations. We examined PEs across multiple assessments from midlife to old age in a nonclinical sample.

Method

Men (N=1,608) in the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (VETSA) underwent neuropsychological assessment comprising 30 measures across 4 waves (~6-year testing intervals) spanning up to 20 years. We leveraged age-matched replacement participants to estimate PEs at each wave. We compared cognitive trajectories and MCI prevalence using unadjusted versus PE-adjusted scores.

Results

Across follow-ups, a range of 7-12 tests (out of 30) demonstrated significant PEs, especially in episodic memory and visuosp

SUBMITTER: Elman JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12204257 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature