Convergent and discriminant validity of the CVLT (dementia version). California Verbal Learning Test.
This study investigated the convergent and discriminant validity of the 9-item "dementia version'' of the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT-9) in a sample of 130 geriatric patients evaluated for memory complaints. Moderate correlations were observed between the CVLT-9 sum of words recalled for trials 1-5 (Trial 1-5 Recall) and Long-Delay Free Recall (LDFR) measures and the immediate and delayed Logical Memory (LM I and LM II) and Visual Reproduction (VR I and VR II) subtests from the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R). However, the CVLT-9 Trial 1-5 Recall and VR I measures demonstrated significant correlations with a number of additional measures of language and visuospatial ability. The CVLT-9 LDFR, and the WMS-R LM I, LM II, and VR II showed less overlap with non-episodic memory functioning. A principal components analysis yielded a three-component solution consisting of a general or "g'' component, a specific memory component, and a mood component. The CVLT-9 Trial 1-5 Recall and VR I loaded on both the "g'' and the memory components, whereas LM I, LM II, and VR II loaded on only the memory component. We conclude that the CVLT-9 Trial 1-5 Recall and VR I demonstrate low discriminant validity, suggesting diminished specificity as memory measures.
Woodard
J L
JL
Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Atlanta, GA, United States of America. jlwoodard@gsu.edu
Goldstein
F C
FC
Roberts
V J
VJ
McGuire
C
C
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D014706:Verbal Learning; D014888:Wechsler Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data