Construct validity and extended normative data for older adults for the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test, Revised.

PURPOSE

This study examined the construct validity of a visual memory test (Brief Visuospatial Memory Test, Revised [BVMT-R]) in a sample of older adults and provided normative data for adults aged 80+ years.

METHOD

The sample included 109 community-dwelling individuals (mean [M] age = 74.9 years, M education = 15.0 years, 62.4% female, and 97.2% European American).

PROCEDURES

Measures administered included the BVMT-R, California Verbal Learning Test, 2nd edition, and subtests of the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System and Neuropsychological Assessment Battery.

RESULTS

The BVMT-R correlated highly with another measure of memory and less so with unrelated measures (e.g., verbal fluency). Age and education were significantly correlated with BVMT-R Total and Delayed Recall scores, with education as the strongest predictor. No significant differences were found for sex. Normative data were provided for adults aged 80 to 88 years (n = 29).

CONCLUSIONS

Adequate evidence was found for convergent validity and only partial support for discriminant validity. Normative data should continue to be stratified by age and also by formal education level.