California older adult Stroop test (COAST): Development of a Stroop test adapted for geriatric populations

An adaptation of the traditional Stroop test, the California Older Adult Stroop Test (COAST) (Pachana, Marcopulos, Yoash-Gantz & Thompson, 1995), has been developed specifically for use with a geriatric population, utilizing larger typeface, fewer items (50) per task, and more easily distinguished colors (red, yellow and green). Test-retest reliability and validity data are reviewed for both control and clinical populations. Increased error rates on the Stroop test compared to the COAST were found for the color and color/word interference tasks. These results are discussed in terms of changes in the visual system with increasing age. The implications for better test sensitivity with the COAST for older adult populations are discussed.