TEST

Visual and spatial memory · Spatial 2-Back

High-load visuospatial manipulation

Ability to handle several locations in mind at once. Sensitive to impairments after traumatic brain injury or in pathological aging.

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N–2

LOAD

3×3

POSITION MATRIX

High

COGNITIVE LOAD

Spatial

MODALITY

WHAT THE TEST IS

Is it where it was two turns ago?

Visuospatial variant of the N-Back with high load. The user must press when the current position of the circle matches the position it had two screens earlier. There are nine possible positions in a 3×3 matrix.

It requires simultaneously maintaining two locations in mind, updating them, and comparing them with the current one. It is one of the most demanding tests in the battery for visuospatial working memory. Highly sensitive to frontoparietal impairment and to alterations after traumatic brain injury or pathological aging.

HOW IT IS ADMINISTERED

Compare the current position with the one from two turns back

In the 3×3 matrix, circles appear in different positions. The user must press only when the current position matches the position the circle had two screens earlier. It requires simultaneously maintaining two positions, updating them, and comparing them. Maximum visuospatial working memory demand.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

Indicators and their interpretation

Correct responses

Spatial n–2 matches detected. Ability to manipulate visuospatial information under high executive load.

High: effective visuospatial manipulation.
Low: limitations in visuospatial working memory.

Omissions

n–2 matches that were not responded to.

High: executive overload, fatigue.
Low: effective monitoring under load.

False alarms

Pressing for nonexistent matches — confusion with n–1, n–3, or nearby positions.

High: imprecise maintenance, spatial confusion.
Low: accurate discrimination.

RT in correct responses

Speed of visuospatial comparison under high load.

Slow: difficulty with visuospatial manipulation.
Fast: efficient manipulation.

RT variability

Attentional stability under maximum demand.

High: executive instability, fatigue.
Low: sustained processing.

RT fatigue

Change in RT between the final and initial 25%.

High: accumulated executive fatigue.
Low: endurance.

REFERENCES

Bibliography

Perlstein, W. M., Cole, M. A., Demery, J. A., Seignourel, P. J., Dixit, N. K., Larson, M. J., & Briggs, R. W. (2004). Parametric manipulation of working memory load in traumatic brain injury. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society.

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