Evidence of criterion validity for the Benton Visual Retention Test: comparison between older adults with and without a possible diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease

ABSTRACT

The present study sought to provide evidence of criterion validity for the Benton Visual Retention Test by making comparisons between older adults with and without a possible diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The control group was composed of 50 older adults, and the clinical group was composed by 16 subjects. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed, including χ² test, F and Wald statistics, t-test, analyses of covariance with α = .05, and effect size calculations. We used a sociodemographic data form, the Geriatric Depression Scale-15, and Mini Mental State Examination. Despite the small clinical sample size, the results pointed to evidence of validity for the Benton Visual Retention Test for Administration A (Memory) and Administration C (Copy). The clinical group had significantly poorer performance on most scores. These results also indicate important deficits in other neuropsychological functions in Alzheimer's disease.(AU)