Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jn8rn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T04:36:04.785Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The longitudinal stability of the WRAT-R Reading subtest: Is it an appropriate estimate of premorbid intelligence?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2009

Brick Johnstone  and
Karen L. Wilhelm
Brick Johnstone
Affiliation:
Department of PM&R, School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia, MO 65212
Karen L. Wilhelm
Affiliation:
Department of PM&R, School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia, MO 65212
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Reading tests are assumed to be accurate estimates of premorbid intelligence, based on the belief that reading remains relatively stable following cerebral injury/disease. However, this assumption has been primarily inferred only from studies comparing differences in reading/intelligence measures between neurologically impaired and normal groups. The current study, using within-subject comparisons, compared the longitudinal stability of reading (WRAT-R/3) and intelligence (WAIS-R FIQ) scores for 39 individuals with cognitive dysfunction referred for repeat neuropsychological evaluation. Wilcoxon signed-ranks tests indicated that reading scores: (1) did not statistically change for those demonstrating intellectual decline (>0 point decline in FIQ), or for those who remained relatively stable (FIQ increase between 0 and 6 points) over retest, but (2) did significantly improve for those demonstrating intellectual improvement greater than 6 points. These results suggest that reading scores may be appropriately considered as “hold” tests for individuals who intellectually decline/remain stable over time, but not for those demonstrating significant intellectual improvement. Additionally, significant variability in reading score decline/improvement suggests that caution must be used when estimating premorbid intelligence based on WRAT-R/3 Reading scores. (JINS, 1996, 2, 282–285.)

Keywords

Premorbid intelligenceReadingRetest stability
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 2 , Issue 4 , July 1996 , pp. 282 - 285
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 1996

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Blair, J.R. & Spreen, O. (1989). Predicting premorbid IQ: A revision of the National Adult Reading Test. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 3, 129–136.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Christensen, H., Hadzi-Pavolic, D., & Jacomb, P. (1991). The psychometric differentiation of dementia from normal aging: A meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 3, 147–155.Google Scholar
Crawford, J.R. (1992). Current and premorbid intelligence measures in neuropsychological assessment. In Crawford, J.R., Parker, D.M., & McKinlay, W.W. (Eds.), A handbook of neuropsychological assessment (pp. 21–49). Hove, UK: Lawrence ErIbaum Associates.Google Scholar
Jastak, S. & Wilkinson, G.S. (1984). WRAT-R: Wide Range Achievement Test administration manual. Los Angeles: Western Psychological Services.Google Scholar
Kareken, D.A., Gur, R.C., & Saykin, A.J. (1995). Reading on the Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised and parental education as predictors of IQ: Comparison with the Barona Formula. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 10, 147–157.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Klesges, R.C. & Troster, A. (1987). A review of premorbid indices of intellectual and neuropsychological functioning: What have we learned in the past five years? International Journal of Clinical Neuropsychology, 9, 1–11.Google Scholar
Klesges, R.C, Wilkening, G.N., & Golden, C.J. (1981). Premorbid indices of intelligence: A review. Clinical Neuropsychology, 7, 1–3.Google Scholar
Wechsler, D. (1981). Manual for the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised. New York: Psychological Corporation.Google Scholar
Wechsler, D. (1987). Manual for the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised. New York: Psychological Corporation.Google Scholar
Wiens, A.N., Bryan, J.E., & Crossen, J.R. (1993). Estimating WAIS-R FSIQ from National Adult Reading Test-Revised in normal subjects. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 7, 70–84.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wilkinson, G.S. (1993). WRAT-3: Wide Range Achievement Test administration manual (3rd ed.). Wilmington, DE: Wide Range.Google Scholar