Practice effects, test-retest stability, and dual baseline assessments with the California Verbal Learning Test in an HIV sample
Year: 2001
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Repeated neuropsychological assessments have been recently employed to investigate the natural course and effects of interventions in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Important considerations when interpreting serial assessments are the roles of practice effects and test-retest reliability on follow-up performance. Although several statistical and methodological controls have been proposed for minimizing practice effects, they have not been empirically tested in HIV samples. Three groups (HIV+/symptomatic, HIV+/asymptomatic, HIV- "at risk" controls) were administered the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) twice with a brief test-retest interval. Significant practice effects were observed on six of the CVLT measures. Test-retest stability coefficients were reported. A third and fourth administration of the CVLT was conducted to observe the impact of the dual baseline assessment approach on test performance. Trend analyses indicated that the dual baseline approach is a viable method for minimizing practice effects. The dual baseline approach also lead to improvement in a number of the stability coefficients. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
Authors: K. Duff, H. J. Westervelt, R. J. McCaffrey, R. F. Haase
Language: English
Subfield: Applied Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2015789479