Normative data for test of learning and memory in an ecuadorian adult population

Abstract

Objective

The objective of this study was to develop norms for two neuropsychological tests of learning and memory in an Ecuadorian adult population.

Method

322 healthy individuals, ages between 18 and 84, were enrolled in the Metropolitan District of Quito. Participants were administered a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation that included tests of learning and memory (Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test [ROCF] and Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised [HVLT-R]). Backward stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the influence of demographic variables age, education, and gender on test performance. Normative data were developed adjusting for demographic variables found to be significant in the final regression models.

Results

The final multiple linear models revealed performance on tests of learning and memory worsened with age and improved as a function of education. A user-friendly Excel-based calculator is presented to calculate the z score and percentile automatically based on raw score and sociodemographic information.

Conclusion

This is the first study that presents normative data for tests of learning and memory for an adult population in Ecuador. It is expected that these norms will help to improve the clinical practice of neuropsychology in Ecuador by limiting erroneous raw score interpretation and incrementing diagnostic accuracy.

Keywords:

• Regression models
• normative data
• memory and learning
• Ecuador
• adult

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not – for- profit sectors.