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Measuring working memory span with WAIS-IV: Digit sequence is the superior span test.

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Title: Measuring working memory span with WAIS-IV: Digit sequence is the superior span test.
Authors: Egeland, Jens (AUTHOR), Lund, Olaf (AUTHOR), Raudeberg, Rune (AUTHOR)
Source: Applied Neuropsychology: Adult. Jan/Feb2026, Vol. 33 Issue 1, p65-72. 8p.
Subjects: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Memory span, Short-term memory, Learning disabilities, Cognitive testing, Analysis of variance, Human research subjects
Abstract: The Digit Span test has been part of the Wechsler tests from the first version. In the WAIS-IV the Digit Span Sequencing subtest (DSS) was introduced and in the forthcoming WAIS-5 working memory span will also be measured in the visual modality. The present study analyzes WAIS-IV Digit Span, Letter- Number Span (LNS) and WMS-III Spatial Span (SS) performance in a mixed clinical sample, expecting to find that Digit Span Forwards (DSF) lacks sensitivity to the Working Memory impairment evident in D-KEFS Trail Making Test-4 (TMT-4) scores ≤1 SD below normative means in the sample. The results showed DSF score above normative means, Digit Span Backwards (DSB) around mean, while SS and LNS was slightly impaired and DSS impaired at the same level as TMT- 4. A double dissociation was observed in DSF and SS performance between subjects with Language- and Non-verbal learning disorders. Most subjects scored in the average range on the LNS-span and high kurtosis reduced sensitivity. Taking LNS and TMT-4 as criterion measures of WM, regression analyses showed no unique contribution of DSF to the variance in these tests. The study supports prior critiques regarding the composite Digit Span measure and demonstrates that the DSS are more effective than the current version of LNS in identifying reduced Working Memory capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Applied Neuropsychology: Adult is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: Measuring working memory span with WAIS-IV: Digit sequence is the superior span test.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Applied+Neuropsychology%3A+Adult%22">Applied Neuropsychology: Adult</searchLink>. Jan/Feb2026, Vol. 33 Issue 1, p65-72. 8p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Wechsler+Adult+Intelligence+Scale%22">Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Memory+span%22">Memory span</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Short-term+memory%22">Short-term memory</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learning+disabilities%22">Learning disabilities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognitive+testing%22">Cognitive testing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Analysis+of+variance%22">Analysis of variance</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Human+research+subjects%22">Human research subjects</searchLink>
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  Data: The Digit Span test has been part of the Wechsler tests from the first version. In the WAIS-IV the Digit Span Sequencing subtest (DSS) was introduced and in the forthcoming WAIS-5 working memory span will also be measured in the visual modality. The present study analyzes WAIS-IV Digit Span, Letter- Number Span (LNS) and WMS-III Spatial Span (SS) performance in a mixed clinical sample, expecting to find that Digit Span Forwards (DSF) lacks sensitivity to the Working Memory impairment evident in D-KEFS Trail Making Test-4 (TMT-4) scores ≤1 SD below normative means in the sample. The results showed DSF score above normative means, Digit Span Backwards (DSB) around mean, while SS and LNS was slightly impaired and DSS impaired at the same level as TMT- 4. A double dissociation was observed in DSF and SS performance between subjects with Language- and Non-verbal learning disorders. Most subjects scored in the average range on the LNS-span and high kurtosis reduced sensitivity. Taking LNS and TMT-4 as criterion measures of WM, regression analyses showed no unique contribution of DSF to the variance in these tests. The study supports prior critiques regarding the composite Digit Span measure and demonstrates that the DSS are more effective than the current version of LNS in identifying reduced Working Memory capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Applied Neuropsychology: Adult is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1080/23279095.2024.2330998
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              Text: Jan/Feb2026
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              Y: 2026
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