Differential profiles of verbal learning in traumatic brain injury.
Several recent investigations have utilized cluster analytic procedures to elucidate profiles of verbal learning on the California Verbal Learning Test following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Although the results of these studies have contributed to our understanding of verbal learning following TBI, limitations in sample composition and methodology render the results difficult to evaluate. The current study provides an analysis of verbal learning clusters in the most comprehensive sample (n = 160) of TBI patients reported thus far. Results obtained from multiple hierarchical agglomerative clustering procedures suggested the presence of two distinct clusters, the first consisting of performance patterns falling within normal limits and the second consisting of moderate-to-severe impairment. Two iterative partitioning analyses further suggested a reliable solution with better-than-chance agreement (kappa coefficients >.85, p <.001). Thus, it is concluded that a two-cluster classification solution provides a parsimonious understanding of verbal learning profiles after TBI.
Demery
Jason A
JA
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida Health Sciences Center, Gainesville, Florida 32610-0165, USA. jdemery@ufl.edu
Pedraza
Otto
O
Hanlon
Robert E
RE
D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014706:Verbal Learning