Can a simple reaction-time difference stand in for a full cognitive assessment?

One cohort, several cognitive tasks

Researchers compared 52 people receiving buprenorphine and 52 receiving methadone after at least six months in opioid substitution treatment. The test battery covered attention, working memory, and verbal and visual memory. The researchers also considered psychoactive co-medications and other treatment variables.

The group difference was task-specific

The buprenorphine group performed better on the simple reaction-time task. The authors found no other statistically significant cognitive differences between treatment groups. Because the groups were observed in routine care, their results can reflect treatment selection, medication combinations and other patient characteristics.

Specify the ability at issue

Simple reaction time measures response speed on a defined task. Recalling a conversation or dividing attention in traffic involves different demands. In a case review, ask which ability was tested, when it was tested relative to medication use, and whether the test resembles the activity the expert is discussing.

Source paper

Rapeli et al., Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy (2012) · Full text