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Luria memory words test and Wechsler memory scale: Comparison of utility in discriminating neurologically impaired from controls
Author(s) -
Altepeter Thomas S.,
Adams Russell L.,
Buchanan William L.,
Buck Paul
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/1097-4679(199003)46:2<190::aid-jclp2270460211>3.0.co;2-m
Subject(s) - psychology , wechsler adult intelligence scale , wechsler memory scale , wechsler preschool and primary scale of intelligence , cognitive psychology , test (biology) , memory test , developmental psychology , wechsler intelligence scale for children , cognition , neuroscience , paleontology , biology
Memory deficits are among the most common initial complaints of patients who are suffering from neurological disorders. The present study compared the relative clinical utility of the Wechsler Memory Scale and the Luria Memory Words Test in differentiating brain‐damaged ( N = 60) from nonbrain‐damaged patients ( N = 60). Separate stepwise regression analyses selected five variables from each test that accounted for the greatest between‐group variance. Separate discriminant functions then were computed that used the WMS and the Luria Words variables selected through the regression analyses. The WMS correctly classified 72% of the subjects, whereas the Luria Words correctly classified 76% of the subjects. A final discriminant function was computed that used all 10 variables and resulted in a classification accuracy of 86%, with 6% false positives and 6% false negatives. Results are discussed relative to the use of each instrument in both a general psychological assessment situation and when specific memory functioning is in question.