Iowa gambling test: normative data and correlation with executive functions

Abstract

Objective: Purpose of the study was to establish the normative values of the Iowa Gambling Test (IGT) in Turkey, using scores from 90 healthy participants aged between 20 and 86.

Method: Participants were classed into 3 groups according to age and education level, and the test was administered in two sessions: in the first session (IGT1), IGT and neuropsychological tests assessing executive functions, and in the second session (IGT2), only IGT.

Results: Statistical analyses showed that IGT performance was not affected by age or education, but male participants performed significantly better in IGT2 than women. Both gender groups performed significantly better in IGT2 than in IGT1 and increased their total net score in IGT2. A statistically significant correlation was found between executive function performance assessed with Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Stroop Test and Tower of London Test and IGT performance.

Conclusion: The comprehensive assessment of the correlation between decision-making behavior, demographic variables, and executive functions needs to be continued with larger sample groups.