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Nithsdale Schizophrenia Surveys 21: a longitudinal study of National Adult Reading Test stability

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2000

G. MORRISON
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Research, Crichton Royal Hospital, Dumfries
V. SHARKEY
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Research, Crichton Royal Hospital, Dumfries
J. ALLARDYCE
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Research, Crichton Royal Hospital, Dumfries
R. C. KELLY
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Research, Crichton Royal Hospital, Dumfries
R. G. McCREADIE
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Research, Crichton Royal Hospital, Dumfries

Abstract

Background. The stability of the National Adult Reading Test (NART) as a measure of pre-morbid intelligence in schizophrenia has not yet been satisfactorily established despite the widespread use of the NART in schizophrenia research.

Method. We examined NART stability in a diverse group of 45 schizophrenic patients in a prospective longitudinal study over 6·5–7·5 years.

Results. The results showed that NART performance does not decline significantly with increasing duration of schizophrenic illness and that test–retest reliability, even over 6·5–7·5 years, is extremely high.

Discussion. Our results provide the necessary evidence that the NART can be used as a stable measure of pre-morbid intelligence in schizophrenia.

Type
BRIEF COMMUNICATION
Copyright
© 2000 Cambridge University Press

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