Skip to main content
Log in

Virtual Reality-Based Attention Test Review: The Nesplora Aula

  • Test Review
  • Published:
Journal of Pediatric Neuropsychology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Nesplora Aula is a virtual reality-based continuous performance test that measures attentional processes in children from 6 to 16 years of age. The measure uses a virtual reality headset to create a classroom-like environment for the examinee, requiring the use of visual and auditory attention. The current article explores a brief history of continuous performance tests, the Nesplora Aula (created by Gema Climent Martinez and Sam Goldstein), its underlying theoretical framework, and its structure. The advantages are discussed, including its ecological validity and drawbacks, such as the technology required and the regional normative sample.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barkley, R. A. (2019). Neuropsychological testing is not useful in the diagnosis of ADHD: Stop it (or prove it)! The ADHD Report, 27(2), 1–8.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Brickenkamp, R., & Seisdedos, N. (1998). D2, Test de atención. Manual. TEA ediciones SA, Madrid 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brumm, V. L. (1994). Neuropsychological and psychological correlates of marital violence in a clinical sample. University of Southern California.

    Google Scholar 

  • Climent, G., Rodríguez, C., García, T., Areces, D., Mejías, M., Aierbe, A., Moreno, M., Cueto, E., Castellá, J., & González, M. F. (2021). New virtual reality tool (Nesplora Aquarium) for assessing attention and working memory in adults: A normative study. Applied Neuropsychology: Adult, 28(4), 403–415. https://doi.org/10.1080/23279095.2019.1646745

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, R. A., Malloy, P. F., & Jenkins, M. A. (1999). Disorders of attention. In P. J. Snyder & P. D. Nussbaum (Eds.), Clinical neuropsychology: A pocket handbook for assessment. American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conners. (1995). Conners’ continuous performance test user’s manual. Multi-Health System.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crosby, K. G. (1972). Attention and distractibility in mentally retarded and intellectually average children. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 77(1), 46–53.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Díaz-Orueta, U., Garcia-López, C., Crespo-Eguílaz, N., Sánchez-Carpintero, R., Climent, G., & Narbona, J. (2014a). AULA virtual reality test as an attention measure: Convergent validity with Conners’ Continuous Performance Test. Child Neuropsychology, 20(3), 328–342. https://doi.org/10.1080/09297049.2013.792332. Epub 2013 May 2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Díaz-Orueta, U., García-Cueto, E., Alonso-Sánchez, B., Crespo-Eguílaz, N., Fernández-Fernández, M. A., Otaduy, C., PérezLozano, C., & Zulueta, A. (2014b). AULA virtual reality based attention test: factorial validity and convergent validity with EDAH scale and DSM criteria. In 9th Conference of the International Test Commission, San Sebastian, Spain, 2–5.

  • Dombrowski, S. C., & Gischlar, K. L. (2017). Test review of Conners Continuous Performance Test 3rd Edition. In J. F. Carlson, K. F. Geisinger, & J. L. Jonson (Eds.), The twentieth mental measurements yearbook Retrieved from http://marketplace.unl.edu/buros/

    Google Scholar 

  • Girardi, N. L., Shaywitz, S. E., Shaywitz, B. A., Marchione, K., Fleischman, S. J., Jones, T. W., & Tamborlane, W. V. (1995). Blunted catecholamine responses after glucose ingestion in children with attention deficit disorder. Pediatric Research, 38(4), 539–542.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg, L. M., & Waldman, I. D. (1993). Developmental normative data on the test of variables of attention (TOVA). Child Psychology & Psychiatry & Allied Disciplines, 34(6), 1019–1030.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Home. Nesplora. (2023). https://nesplora.com/en/home/

  • Iriarte, Y., Díaz-Orueta, U., Cueto, E., Irazustabarrena, P., Banterla, F., & Climent-Martínez, G. (2012). AULA-advanced virtual reality tool for assessment of attention: Normative study in Spain. Journal of Attention Disorders https://nesplora.com/aula-nesplora-investigacion-propia-y-en-colaboracion/

  • Kropotov, J. D. (2016). Functional neuromarkers for psychiatry: Applications for diagnosis and treatment. Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maddux, C. D. (2007). Test review of IVA+plus integrated visual and auditory continuous performance test. In K. F. Geisinger, R. A. Spies, J. F. Carlson, & B. S. Plake (Eds.), The seventeenth mental measurements yearbook Retrieved from http://marketplace.unl.edu/buros/

    Google Scholar 

  • Mapou, R. L. (2019). Counterpoint: Neuropsychological testing is not useful in the diagnosis of ADHD, but…. The ADHD Report, 27(2), 8–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martinez, G., & Borzaga, F. (2018). Attention Kids Aula Manual. Giunti-Nesplora.

  • Osburn, H. (2000). Coefficient alpha and related internal consistency reliability coefficients. Psychological Methods, 5(3), 343–355.

  • Rapoport, J. L., Buchsbaum, M. S., Weingartner, H., Zahn, T. P., Ludlow, C., & Mikkelsen, E. J. (1980). Dextroamphetamine: Its cognitive and behavioral effects in normal and hyperactive boys and normal men. Archives of General Psychiatry, 37(8), 933–943.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Riccio, C. A., Reynolds, C. R., & Lowe, P. A. (2001). Clinical applications of continuous performance tests: Measuring attention and impulsive responding in children and adults. John Wiley & Sons Inc..

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosvold, H. E., Mirsky, A. F., Sarason, I., Bransome, E. D., Jr., & Beck, L. H. (1956). A continuous performance test of brain damage. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 20(5), 343.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tavakol, M., & Dennick, R. (2011). Making sense of Cronbach’s alpha. International Journal of Medical Education, 2, 53–55.

  • Thurstone, L. L., & Yela, M. (1997). Percepción de diferencias (Caras). Manual. TEA ediciones SA, Madrid.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tupler, L. A. (1989). The role of attentional resources in the memory performance of elderly adults: An investigation of the integration deficit hypothesis. Emory University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weingartner, H., Ebert, M. H., Mikkelsen, E. J., Rapoport, J. L., Buchsbaum, M. S., Bunney, W. E., Jr., & Caine, E. D. (1980). Cognitive processes in normal and hyperactive children and their response to amphetamine treatment. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 89(1), 25.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Ethics declarations

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mulchay, C., Goller, H. & Rice, W. Virtual Reality-Based Attention Test Review: The Nesplora Aula. J Pediatr Neuropsychol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40817-024-00161-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40817-024-00161-z

Keywords

Navigation