Performance on original and a Chinese version of Trail Making Test Part B: a normative bilingual sample

Appl Neuropsychol. 2000;7(4):243-6. doi: 10.1207/S15324826AN0704_6.

Abstract

This study examined an equivalent of Trail Making Test Part B for native Chinese speakers. Digit Symbol Coding and Trail Making Test Parts A and B were administered to American and Chinese students from an American university. The Chinese group also took a modified Trails B test where numbers in Chinese characters replaced English letters. Independent-samples t tests showed no difference between American and Chinese groups on the Digit Symbol Coding and Trails A, but a difference on Trails B (p < .05). The Chinese group's modified Trails B performance showed no difference from the American group's original Trails B performance. These findings suggest equivalence of Digit Symbol Coding and Trails A for American and Chinese groups, but a longer Trails B completion time for the Chinese group. This finding indicates a language bias of Trails B for Chinese-English bilinguals. Thus, the Chinese version of Trails B is preferable for native Chinese speakers.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • China
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Language*
  • Male
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Trail Making Test / standards*
  • United States
  • Wechsler Scales