Cross-validation of Reitan and Wolfson's Neuropsychological Deficit Scales

Reitan and Wolfson developed and presented validity data on their Neuropsychological Deficit Scales and offered them as alternatives to Halstead's Impairment Index and Russell, Neuringer, and Goldstein's Average Impairment Rating. An initial cross-validation study of the scales was conducted with 73 brain-damaged subjects and 41 pseudoneurologic controls. Brain-damaged and pseudoneurologic subjects differed on the General Neuropsychological Deficit Scale. Groups of left hemisphere, diffuse, and right hemisphere brain-damaged subjects differed on the Left and Right Neuropsychological Deficit Scales. The General Neuropsychological Deficit Scale, Impairment Index, and Average Impairment Rating did not differ in accuracy of subject classification. Our findings provide limited support for the validity of these new scales with patients commonly seen in clinical practice.