Developmental analysis of the Wechsler Memory Scale

Memory functions commonly decline with age. All dimensions of memory functioning may not change equally with age. Some studies have shown declines in visual-spatial memory tasks, others in remembering stories, and another in learning pairs of associated words. The purpose of this study was to determine which dimensions deteriorate with increasing age. In addition, this study examines the construct validity of the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS), for which previous reports note two-, three- and four-factor solutions. WMS data from 1264 males and 1141 females at six age intervals, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70-79 years, were compared on seven subtests to assess age trends. Visual-spatial memory tasks, remembering stories, and learning pairs of associated words proved more difficult with advanced age. Using theoretical, psychometric and statistical criteria, a one-factor (cluster) solution in both sexes across all age groups shows that the WMS measures only one construct, memory. This was shown by using principal component analyses, hierarchical cluster analyses, and very simple structure.     

Diagnostic efficiency and material specificity of the Warrington Recognition Memory Test: a collaborative multisite investigation.

Two studies examined the Warrington Recognition Memory Test (RMT) discrepancy index (Words-Faces) in a large sample of patients heterogeneous with respect to age, education, gender, and neurological diagnosis. In Study 1 (N = 504) we used cutoffs from the Words-Faces discrepancy scores derived from Warrington's original validation sample to attempt to accurately classify patients with left, right, or diffuse brain damage. Sensitivity for left hemisphere patients (Faces > Words) was 10% with a specificity of 88%, whereas sensitivity for right hemisphere patients (Words > Faces) was 48% with a specificity of 86%. For patients with diffuse brain damage (Words = Faces) sensitivity was 69% and specificity was 38%. In Study 2 (N = 263), we examined the relationship between the Words-Faces discrepancy score and Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R; Wechsler, 1981) Logical Memory and Visual Reproduction subtests. Contrary to predictions, patients with Words > Faces performed better on both WMS-R subtests; the Faces > Words discrepancy was not related to Visual Reproduction performance. Potential reasons for these negative findings are discussed, as well as cautions for future RMT discrepancy index use.     

WMS在不同年龄老年群体中的应用分析

目的：探讨６０岁以上不同年龄老人记忆变化的规律，并验证ＷＭＳ现常模在不同年龄老年群体中的适用性。方法：采用ＷＭＳ为工具，测定６０例以上健康老年人的记忆状况，从６０岁开始每５岁以一个年龄组，共４组，每组５０人。结果：６０岁以上各年龄组总量表分和记忆商数的平均成绩均有随年龄增长而逐渐衰退的趋势，尤其中７０岁左右是记忆发展的一个关键时期，具体表现在心智、回忆、再生和理解记忆上的成绩年龄差异较显著。结论：     

Wechsler Memory Scale: a selective review of the literature.

Research on the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) is reviewed with respect to questions of its reliability, factor structure, construct validity, and utility. The relationship of Memory Quotient to Full Scale IQ is explored and the conditions under which disparity between the two scores may be clinically useful indicated. Despite its numerous limitations, the WMS has been a sensitive test of short-term verbal memory. As such, it may be helpful in identifying impairment of the dominant (left) temporal lobe and its medial hippocampal connections. The test is badly in need of re-standardization, however, and suggestions for improving the instrument are made.     

Wechsler Memory Scale performance in geropsychiatric patients

Patients (N = 36) on a geropsychiatric acute care unit were administered the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) at admission and discharge. The results indicated that there were significant increases in WMS scores from admission to discharge. Mean scores on the WMS were generally below those previously reported for normal geriatric groups, but above those reported for chronically ill or demented groups. As in previous studies, a significant positive relationship was found between education and WMS score, although no such relationship was found between age and WMS score. Overall, the results highlight the need for comprehensive norms for the elderly, which would increase greatly the practical utility of the WMS in clinical settings.     

Memory evaluation of alcoholics with Russell's revised Wechsler Memory Scale

Fifty-four alcoholics and 30 nonalcoholics were tested on Russell's (1975) revision of the Wechsler Memory Scale (RWMS). Subjects were dichotomized into groups of old and young, and alcoholics were divided further into groups of short- and long-term abusers. Groups were matched on socioeconomic status. Significant group differences were found on three of the four RWMS measures as a function of abuse status and on two of the measures as a function of age. In terms of severity of impairment, alcoholics were found to demonstrate only mild verbal and figural memory deficits when compared to age-matched controls. Results are discussed with regard to the clinical utility of the RWMS as a memory screening instrument with alcoholic patients and in terms of treatment implications.     

Age differences in Wechsler Memory Scale performance

Calculated mean scores for older persons utilizing data from previous studies that measured Wechsler Memory Scale performance in healthy samples and compared with those of younger adults and a sample of neurologically impaired aged (N = 384). Statistical analysis indicated that in total raw scores, as well as in all subtest scores but Digit Span, there are significant differences in the performance of different age groups. The degree to which age is associated with subtest performance varies depending on the particular subtest involved. Results are discussed in terms of their clinical implications and current theories of aging and memory.     

Memory assessment using the Strub-Black Mental Status Examination and the Wechsler Memory Scale

A systematic mental status exam often can differentiate accurately patients with organic brain disease from normal persons and those with functional disorders. The present study attempts to validate the memory portion of the Strub-Black Mental Status Exam by comparing it to the Wechsler Memory Scale. Twenty-five brain-damaged and 25 routine medical patients were given Form I of the Wechsler Memory Scale and the memory portion of the Strub-Black Mental Status Exam at their hospital bedside. Results indicate significant differences in almost all scores between the brain-damaged and normal groups on both the Wechsler Memory Scale and Mental Status exam; the Mental Status Exam differentiated between groups at a higher level of significance of ANOVA and ANCOVA comparisons of total memory scores, as well as several subtests. In these samples, age, more than education, was an important factor that affected memory test performance. The Mental Status Examination appears valid for the differentiation of clinical samples and for the documentation of specific aspects of memory dysfunction in individual brain-damaged patients. This study represents a beginning step in providing normative data on components of the Strub-Black mental status examination.     

Test-retest reliability of the Wechsler Memory Scale,Form I

Administered the Wechsler Memory Scale, Form I (WMS) twice to 34 normal Ss and 30 hospitalized patients with psychiatric or neurological disorders. In the normal group, the Memory Quotient (MQ) test-retest reliability was r(32) = 0.75, p <0.001. The mean retest gain in points was 7.2, median gain was 7, and range of gain was from −18 to +28. The increase in mean MQ over time was significant, t(33) = 3.95, p < 0.001. In the psychiatric-neurological group, the MQ test-retest reliability was r(28) = 0.89, p <0.001. The mean retest gain in points was 4, median gain was 4.5, and range of gain was from −12 to +23. The increase in mean MQ over time was significant, t(29) = 2.32, p < 0.05. Although the WMS possesses acceptable psychometric reliability, the clinician must keep in mind that the MQ may change significantly over time for individual Ss.     

韦氏记忆测验、临床记忆量表在颅脑损伤后伤残鉴定的应用情况分析

目的:比较韦氏记忆测验和临床记忆量表在颅脑损伤患者的应用情况,探讨在该类患者的适用性.方法:对206例颅脑损伤恢复期患者作韦氏记忆测验、300例作临床记忆量表检测,并完成临床实际记忆损伤评估,对照分析结果.结果:①两个量表间记忆商数存在显著差异;②两个量表所得记忆商数都与临床实际评定存在较多不一致,韦氏记忆测验更明显.结论:①在正常或较轻的颅脑损伤后记忆损伤患者,两个量表有相似的检测结论,但在记忆损伤较严重的患者,临床记忆量表有更好的适用性;②不能仅依据测量工具的记忆商数,而要结合其它资料才能更准确地评估记忆功能状况.     

Confirmatory factor analysis of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised standardization sample.

A maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analysis was preformed by applying LISREL to the variance-covariance matrix obtained from standardization of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R) (N = 316). Analyses were designed to determine which of seven hypothesized factor solutions could best explain memory function as measured by the WMS-R. Competing latent variable models were identified in previous exploratory and confirmatory factor analytic studies. The measurement error matrix was set to remove method variance shared by the immediate and delayed trials of the same subtest. Hypothesized factors were fixed and allowed to correlate. Results indicated that a three-factor model, including Attention/Concentration, Immediate and Delayed Memory, explained 91% of the score variance and produced a significantly better fit than the Attention/Concentration--General Memory or Attention Concentration--Visual/Verbal Memory solutions. Findings support previous work suggesting that the WMS-R measures separate memory functions, and that the verbal/nonverbal Index distinction may not be a viable one.     

Utility of half-credit scoring of Russell's revision of the Wechsler Memory Scale

This study examined interrater reliability of Russell's revision of the Wechsler Memory Scale logical memory using an explicit scoring method in a male medical/psychiatric population. Secondly, it examined whether the ratio of full to half-credit scores can be used to differentiate unimpaired patients from patients with documented cerebral dysfunction. Twenty-five unimpaired and 25 brain-impaired patients matched for age and education were used. Pearson correlations indicate excellent interrater reliability. t-tests indicate that the groups were not significantly different from the ratio of full- to half-credit responses on immediate memory, but were significantly different on delayed memory. A posteriori analyses indicated that a small ratio score (less than 3) on delayed recall classified patients with modest success. Results indicated that brain-impaired and unimpaired patients not only differ in regard to level of recall performance, but also differ in regard to pattern of recall performance. Cross-validation of these results is suggested.     

A comparison of Turkish and Anglo-American normative data on the Wechsler Memory Scale

This study compared the performance of 200 Turkish adults, divided by educational status and age (20-39; 40-59), with published data based upon similar-aged American and British normative samples. Results highlighted the major influence of educational background in determining performance on the WMS and the implications of this effect in interpreting normative performance.     

Administration duration for the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III and Wechsler Memory Scale-III.

The administration times for each of the subtests from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III (WAIS-III) and Wechsler Memory Scale-III (WMS-III) were recorded for a clinical sample of 81 patients. The findings revealed that the time needed to administer the WAIS-III subtests to generate the summary scores, index scores, and both scores were 58, 51, and 65 min, respectively. The time required to complete the primary subtests on the WMS-III was 21, 15, and 6 min for Immediate Memory, General Memory, and Working Memory, respectively, resulting in a total administration time of 42 min. The time necessary to administer most of the subtests was unrelated to age, education, or performance level. These data demonstrate a shorter than expected administration time for the WAIS-III and a longer than anticipated administration for the WMS-III. Results for other clinical settings will be impacted by examiner familiarity and patient composition.     

韦氏记忆量表中国修订本在儿童中的应用

韦氏记忆量表系列是临床心理评估中被广泛应用的评估工具之一.本文试图对近年来韦氏记忆量表中国修订本在国内儿童中的应用情况进行简单总结.发现WMS-RC在儿童中主要应用于临床诊断和疗效评估等,对正常儿童的相关研究较少;ADHD和学习障碍儿童总的记忆功能受到损害,主要表现在短时记忆和长时记忆方面,而TS儿童总的记忆功能处于正常偏低水平,但是短时记忆受损;在临床上,WMS-RC与韦氏智力量表、瑞文测验、WCST、数字划消、Stroop测验联合应用较多.