CLINICAL UTILITY OF A 7 SUBTEST WAIS-R SHORT-FORM IN THE NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

Comparison of IQ scores from the standard Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) and the Ward (1990) seven-subtest short form (W AIS-R/7 SF) was performed on a sample of 459 patients with traumatic b rain injury due to head trauma. The results indicate that this short f orm provides Verbal, Performance, and Full Scale IQ scores that vary l ittle from the complete WAIS-R, at approximately one-half the typical administration time. The seven subtest short form predicted WAIS-R Ful l Scale IQ within 6 points in 95% of this clinical sample, with Verbal -Performance Ie discrepancies that were highly correlated (r(s) = .85, p < .0001). No differential gender effect in proration of IQs was fou nd. Applications and pitfalls of abbreviated neuropsychological testin g batteries are discussed, with utilization of the WAIS-R/7 SF offered as a means to reduce intelligence resting time while maintaining the ability to detect subtle information processing abnormalities with app ropriate supplemental tasks. (C) 1997 National Academy of Neuropsychol ogy.