Ecorsi Block Tapping Task Case Study

eCorsi Block-Tapping Task

Introduction

The eCorsi block-tapping task is a popular test to appraise the visuospatial working memory of individuals. The original task, developed by Michael Corsi in 1972, consists of nine identical blocks on a board. Because of technological developments, it now has various digital versions.
Used by clinical neuropsychologists, and cognitive and developmental psychologists, the Corsi task is applicable with investigations of nonverbal short-term memory, gender differences, and developmental changes (Capitani, Laiacona, & Ciceri, 1991; Isaacs & Vargha-Khadem, 1989; Orsini et al., 1986). It also assesses immediate nonverbal memory deficits (De Renzi, Faglioni, & Previdi, 1977; De Renzi & Nichelli, 1975; Morris
Unlike the conventional physical Corsi board, eCorsi is easy to install, setup, and use. In terms of reaction and span times, as well as presentation timing, it is more accurate for the forward and backward spans.
Methods

To test the eCorsi block-tapping task, 20 female and 20 male college students with an average age of 22.9 years participated in the study. All of them are right-handed with corrected or normal visual acuity.
The experimenter controlled the eCorsi app through a laptop thereby allowing him to determine when he will start the trials. The participants, with an iPad each, faced him. A wireless network connected the laptop and the iPad. The management of the eCorsi task is similar to that of the original Corsi task. The administration of the test is the same as that of the standard Corsi block-tapping task.
Unlike in the traditional Corsi, the role of the neuropsychologist has shifted from examiner to observer. This means that he can now observe the strategies and behavior the patient manifests instead of administering the task himself. The results of the study showed that the eCorsi and the standard Corsi tasks had very similar performance for both forward and backward spans.
Yet, the relationship between the recall condition and the task administration differs in the eCorsi for forward and backward spans. In additional analyses, eCorsi showed a decrease in the performance of participants in the forward span thereby reducing the difference in performance of both spans. Although the eCorsi has practical advantages, the analyses suggested a reconsideration of the assumed underlying cognitive processes.
In a study by the team of Riccardo Brunetti (2014), they found that the eCorsi increased the accuracy in the automatic measure of reaction times and span, and the possibility that sequences can be fully customized. In addition, the eCorsi is more user-friendly and accessible than the other digital or automated Corsi block-tapping tasks because it is available for use with the