[Validity of the Token test as a selective test in aphasia patients and in brain damaged patients without aphasia].
The Token test is a world wide known useful method to detect speech receptive disturbances in aphasics, that often is included in complex diagnostic methods used to estimate higher psychic functions. Proper usage of this test give a chance of Polish scientific reports popularization and of possibility to international compare their results. However, to use this method in Poland, a comprehensive analysis its properties and elaborate of Polish norms are necessary. The aim of this work is to determine the validity of the Token test as a selective test between two groups of organic damaged patients: the group of aphasia patients, and the group of patients without aphasia. This evaluation is an introductory stage of test validation procedure for Polish population, and is consistent with Orgass validity procedure used in Germany.


METHODS
200 brain damaged patients participated in this procedure: 100 aphasia patients and 100 patients without aphasia. All the patients were hospitalized in Department of Neurology, Medical Academy of Wroclaw. In this study Orgass version the Token test (1976) was used. The influence of patients' age on test results was analyzed by means of b(yx) coefficient that estimates the slope of the regression line. A cut-off point in the test results scale was established, and test cross-validity was estimated.


RESULTS
b(yx) coefficient in both investigated groups emerged insignificant, so age associated correction of test results was not required. The cut-off point was located above error score = 1. In that case aphasia diagnosis validity was located between 74-76% in aphasia group, and 76-82% in group without aphasia. The results distribution was characterized by certain peculiarity caused by a structure of examinated groups (there were hospitalized patients).


CONCLUSIONS
Age associated correction of test results is not necessary. We can diagnose a slight aphasia already when the Token test score equals 2. Then aphasia diagnosis validity amounts 74-76% in aphasia group, and 76-82% in group without aphasia. Higher validity level would be possible in case of out-patients groups were included.
Akademia Medyczna we Wrocławiu, Katedra i Klinika Neurologii. ewajarz@wp.pl
Ewa
E
Jarzebska
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001037:Aphasia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012107:Research Design; D013067:Speech Perception