Clinical utility of WAIS-R factor-derived standard scores in assessing brain injury

Abstract

The present study explores the clinical utility of the WAIS-R factor-derived standard scores in assessing brain-injured subjects. Sixty brain-injured and 40 non-brain-injured subjects were compared on Verbal/ Comprehension, Perceptual/Organization, and Freedom from Distractibility factors generated from age-corrected subscales of the WAIS-R. The results indicate that the groups differed significantly on each factor. The factor-derived standard scores were equally predictive of brain-injured status as Full Scale IQ, Verbal IQ, and Performance IQ. When considered with data from the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery, both the Freedom from Distractibility and Verbal/Comprehension factors added significantly to the ability to discriminate among the groups. The advantages of using factor-derived standard scores in clinical practice are discussed, as is the need for further research.