Comparison and clinical applicability of auditory comprehension scores on the behavioral Neurology deficit evaluation, boston diagnostic aphasia examination, porch index of communicative ability and token test

Abstract

The assessment of auditory comprehension is of major importance in the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic evaluation of patients with aphasia. Several tests developed at institutions with differing theoretical orientations have been in common use for many years. Auditory comprehension scores on the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination, Porch Index of Communicative Ability and Token Test were obtained from a series of aphasic patients and compared with one another and with a standardized behavioral neurology examination (Behavioral Neurology Deficit Evaluation). While all of the tests were significantly correlated and effective in measuring auditory comprehension, an analysis of subtest score distributions indicates that each possesses different discriminating power depending on the individual patient's level of ability.