The comparability of the WRAT-R reading test and NAART as estimates of premorbid intelligence in neurologically impaired patients

Abstract

A study by Wiens, Bryan, and Crossen (1993) suggests the Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised (WRAT-R) Reading subtest and North American Adult Reading Test (NAART) are adequate predictors of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) IQ scores for a normal population. Although it is common practice to use reading scores to estimate premorbid IQ in clinical populations, the WRAT-R and NAART have not been compared using individuals with brain dysfunction. The current study cross-validated the Wiens et al. (1993) study using neurologically impaired populations: traumatic brain injury (n = 118), dementia (n = 37), and other neurologic impairments (n = 77). The results were generally consistent across all three groups: (a) the WRAT-R and NAART were equivalent and accurate estimates of average VIQ levels; (b) the WRAT-R and NAART were equivalent but underestimates of higher intelligence ranges; and (c) the WRAT-R is a more accurate estimate for lower VIQ ranges, although both are overestimates. This third finding is in contrast to Wiens et al.'s (1993) results that suggest the WRAT-R is an accurate estimate of lower IQ ranges for normals. It is concluded that the WRAT-R is the preferred measure of premorbid verbal intelligence for psychometric and clinical reasons.

Role of learning potential in cognitive remediation: Construct and predictive validity

“…Attention and information-processing was assessed using the Continuous Performance Task (CPT X/A; Loong, 1991). Premorbid IQ was estimated using the Wide Range Achievement Test 3 - Reading Subscale (WRAT-R; Johnstone et al, 1996; Wilkinson, 1993), and current IQ was assessed using the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI; Wechsler, 1999), two-subtest version. Illness severity was assessed using four variables: (1) age of onset; (2) age first hospitalized; (3) lifetime number of hospitalizations; and (4) Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS; Kay et al, 1987; Bell et al, 1994) symptom rating.…”

Frontal and Temporal Structural Connectivity Is Associated with Social Communication Impairment Following Traumatic Brain Injury

“…Finally, participants with TBI were administered the Wide Range Achievement Test – Reading Part (WRAT) to estimate premorbid IQ (Ahles et al, 2003; Johnstone, Callahan, Kapila, & Bouman, 1996; Wilkinson & Robertson, 2006). Due to study attrition, results from some neuropsychological tests were missing from non-overlapping participants in both groups, resulting in varying sample sizes for each test (CVLT: TBI = 22, NC = 19; Trails: TBI = 22, NC = 20; WAIS-PSI: TBI = 24, NC = 20; WRAT: TBI = 23).…”

Cognitive reserve in paediatric traumatic brain injury: Relationship with neuropsychological outcome

“…Cognitive reserve was measured using the Word Reading sub-test of the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test-Second Edition (WIAT-II) [15] and the Vocabulary sub-test of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) [16]. Although there has not been any direct research examining the WISC-IV and WIAT-II as indicators of pre-morbid functioning, they were chosen based on the aforementioned literature that used comparable indices of literacy and vocabulary knowledge (e.g.…”

“…In terms of demographic variables, the group was comprised of 34 males and 18 females, with an average age of 11.81 years (ranging again from [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. The large majority of the children were right handed (83%).…”

“…Manly et al [13] support the significance of literacy level as a means of measuring reserve by affirming that 'literacy measures educational experience more accurately than years of education, and thus is a superior assessment of the knowledge, strategy, and skills needed to perform well on traditional neuropsychological tasks' (p. 227). As a result, various standardized reading tests have been shown to be valid indicators of pre-injury functioning and cognitive reserve, including the Wide Range Achievement Test-Third Edition (WRAT-3) [14] and the North American Adult Reading Test (NAART) [15]. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and its subsequent revisions (including the current WAIS-III) have also been viewed as a hold measure [11].…”