A Preliminary Evaluation of a Paired-Associate Verbal Learning Test in Geriatric Practice

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Abstract
A simple paired associate verbal learning test was administered to the following 3 groups of old people: (1) 50 normal old people; (2) 50 patients recently admitted to a geriatric assessment ward; (3) 50 patients in geriatric long-stay wards. Comparison of the scores obtained revealed the following differences between groups: Normal old people performed better than hospital patients. Those with clinical evidence of diffuse brain damage did worse than those with focal brain damage. Incontinent patients had higher (i.e. worse) scores than continent patients. Patients who subsequently improved in response to rehabilitation had lower (i.e. better) scores than those who did not improve. Patients with left hemiplegia did better than non-dysphasic patients with right hemiplegia. The main value of this test may be as an aid to predicting the patient''s response to a course of rehabilitation.

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