Word Fluency Test (WFT): A parallel FAS alternative

Abstract

The capacity to quickly verbalize words beginning with a specific letter is integral in assessing language skills as well as an essential part of a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Using the letters F, A, S as a word fluency measure is limited by having no direct parallel alternative that can use the same F, A, S norms. This observational and cross-sectional study examined the correlation between the Word Fluency Test (WFT), utilizing letters M, D, H, as a parallel alternative to the clinical standard F, A, S to determine if the two are equivalent. This would allow for the use of existing F, A, S norms. Study participants (N = 356) were comprised of both adult control participants and out-patients with normal neuropsychological test results. Between-group differences for both task performances were not statistically significant indicating that patients and controls performed similarly on each of the six letters. Between-letter correlations were moderate in strength indicating an acceptable level of agreement between all of the letters. The results confirm equivalency and support administering the WFT and employing F, A, S norms offering a corresponding parallel alternative measure with strong correlation indicating high level of agreement.

Keywords:

• COWAT
• F
• A
• S
• letter fluency
• phonemic fluency
• verbal fluency
• word fluency

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Acknowledgements

This study was not possible without the support of Rochelle Winnett, PhD, ABPP, Jay Uomoto, PhD, ABPP, Kenneth Muscatel, PhD, Joel Peterman, PhD, Phyllis Sanchez, PhD, Betty Jones, PhD, Emilie Jones, Clinical Manager and Virginia Mason Medical Center. And we are grateful to the Benaroya Clinical Research Program/IRB for their help in navigating the regulatory process, especially Cheryl Weaver, Clinical Research Administrative Director, Jenifer Lavigne, MSPH, Clinical Research Monitor/Research Compliance, and Shannon Kinzebach, Clinical Research Auditor/Monitor.

Disclosure statement

There are no conflicts of interests by the authors.

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the deidentified raw data supporting the findings of this study are available to neuropsychology professionals for research purposes by contacting the first author directly or by login to NAPnet.org. The WFT protocol, Living Scoring Resource, F, A, S and COWAT administration and scoring comparisons, and Study Inclusion/Exclusion History Questionnaire are available by login to https://www.napnet.org/.