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Expanded norms for the Controlled Oral Word Association Test
S W Sumerall1, P L Timmons, A L James
1Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center, Psychology Service, Leavenworth, Kansas 66048, USA.
Journal of Clinical Psychology
|August 1, 1997
Summary
The Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT) provides current performance norms for elderly individuals. This verbal fluency measure aids in detecting cognitive changes associated with various disorders in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Neuropsychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- The Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT) assesses verbal fluency.
- It is a valuable tool in neuropsychological assessments for identifying cognitive deficits.
- Changes in word association fluency are common in various neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish current normative data for the COWAT in an elderly population.
- To provide a benchmark for interpreting the performance of older adults on this verbal fluency task.
- To aid in the early detection of cognitive changes in the aging population.
Main Methods:
- The COWAT was administered to a sample of community-dwelling elderly individuals.
- Data collected included total word production and error types.
- Error types analyzed were perseverations, breaking set, and use of proper nouns.
Main Results:
- Normative data for word association fluency in the elderly were generated.
- Information on the frequency of specific error types was documented.
- This provides a basis for understanding typical performance and deviations in older adults.
Conclusions:
- The study provides essential updated norms for the COWAT in the elderly population.
- These norms enhance the diagnostic utility of the COWAT for assessing cognitive function in older adults.
- The findings support the use of the COWAT in identifying subtle cognitive changes in aging individuals.