The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in stroke rehabilitation: Factor structureand relationship to outcome

The present study attempted to replicate the findings of previous factor an alytic studies of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) in a homogeneous s ample of patients suffering recent cerebrovascular accidents and being trea ted in a comprehensive inpatient physical rehabilitation program. In additi on this study examined the relationship of the WCST to standard measures of functional ability used in many rehabilitation programs. The results confi rmed the previously reported three-factor structure and replicated past fin dings concerning the test's construct validity. A small but significant rel ationship was noted between the WCST and functional status, though the WCST did not make a unique contribution to the prediction of functional status at discharge. This study highlights the similarities and differences in WCS T factor structure in a stroke sample compared to a more general neurologic al sample and raises questions about the utility of the WCST in stroke reha bilitation. (C) 1999 National Academy of Neuropsychology. Published by Else vier Science Ltd.