Halstead-Reitan BAttery

Question 1

Same tests are given to each patient

Answer 1

1. Finger Tapping test
2. Grip strength
3. Sensory-Perceptual Exam
4. Aphasia Screening Test
5. Trail Making Test
6. Rhythm Test
7. Speech Perception Test
8. Tactual Performance Test: total time, memory,
   localization
9. Category Test
10. WAIS

Question 2

Scoring / Interpretation

Answer 2

Several test scores are rated on a 0 – 3 scale (3 most impaired).
These ratings are summed to produce the Impairment Index or General Neuropsychological Deficit Scale. Cutoff scores for this index
Classify patient as normal or brain damaged.
Interpretation is done blind to avoid bias
contends test results should not be adjusted for age and education because they found these factors had no significant effect on NP performance in a brain damaged group, although they did in a control group

Question 3

Pluses

Answer 3

because tests are multifaceted, many of them are sensitive to brain damage in most parts of the brain
much research regarding battery and performance of many different neurological groups on all or parts of it

Question 4

Minuses

Answer 4

no information in Reitan’s manual on psychometric properties of tests: i.e. not even any means and standard deviations. Only cutoff scores for each test
some studies show HRB index not as accurate in identifying brain damage as clinical decisions based on tests interviews and medical history
most tests require multiple cognitive abilities and do not allow delineation of specific cognitive functions which are impaired
not based on model of cognitive functioning or brain-behavior relationships (even though Reitan says they are)
can take 8+ hours to administer
very limited assessment of memory, language