Advanced clinical interpretation of the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System: multivariate base rates of low scores

Justin E. Karr; Mauricio A. Garcia-Barrera; James A. Holdnack; Grant L. Iverson

doi:10.1080/13854046.2017.1334828

Advanced clinical interpretation of the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System: multivariate base rates of low scores

Justin E. Karr
, Mauricio A. Garcia-Barrera
, James A. Holdnack
, Grant L. Iverson

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Multivariate base rates allow for the simultaneous statistical interpretation of multiple test scores, quantifying the normal frequency of low scores on a test battery. This study provides multivariate base rates for the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS). Method: The D-KEFS consists of 9 tests with 16 Total Achievement scores (i.e. primary indicators of executive function ability). Stratified by education and intelligence, multivariate base rates were derived for the full D-KEFS and an abbreviated four-test battery (i.e. Trail Making, Color-Word Interference, Verbal Fluency, and Tower Test) using the adult portion of the normative sample (ages 16–89). Results: Multivariate base rates are provided for the full and four-test D-KEFS batteries, calculated using five low score cutoffs (i.e. ≤25th, 16th, 9th, 5th, and 2nd percentiles). Low scores occurred commonly among the D-KEFS normative sample, with 82.6 and 71.8% of participants obtaining at least one score ≤16th percentile for the full and four-test batteries, respectively. Intelligence and education were inversely related to low score frequency. Conclusions: The base rates provided herein allow clinicians to interpret multiple D-KEFS scores simultaneously for the full D-KEFS and an abbreviated battery of commonly administered tests. The use of these base rates will support clinicians when differentiating between normal variations in cognitive performance and true executive function deficits.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	42-53
Number of pages	12
Journal	Clinical Neuropsychologist
Volume	32
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2017.1334828
State	Published - Jan 2 2018

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Funding

Standardization data from the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS), © 2001 NCS Pearson, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved. JEK is a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholar and thanks the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada for their support of his graduate studies. GLI notes that this work is related in part to the TBI Endpoints Development (TED) Initiative and a grant entitled Development and Validation of a Cognition Endpoint for Traumatic Brain Injury Clinical Trials (subaward from W81XWH-14-2-0176). MGB also notes that this work is related in part to his grant entitled Characteristics and Correlates of Intraindividual Variability in Executive Control Processes (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada; 418676-2012). Standardization data from the Delis -Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS), ? 2001 NCS Pearson, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved. JEK is a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholar and thanks the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada for their support of his graduate studies. GLI notes that this work is related in part to the TBI Endpoints Development (TED) Initiative and a grant entitled Development and Validation of a Cognition Endpoint for Traumatic Brain Injury Clinical Trials (subaward from W81XWH-14-2-0176). MGB also notes that this work is related in part to his grant entitled Characteristics and Correlates of Intraindividual Variability in Executive Control Processes (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada; 418676-2012).

Funders	Funder number
Vanier Canada
NCS
TBI
Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System
Variability in Executive Control Processes
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada	W81XWH-14-2-0176, 418676-2012

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

D-KEFS
Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System
Executive functions
assessment
multivariate base rates
norms/normative studies

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
Developmental and Educational Psychology
Clinical Psychology
Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
Psychiatry and Mental health

Access to Document

10.1080/13854046.2017.1334828

Cite this

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title = "Advanced clinical interpretation of the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System: multivariate base rates of low scores",

abstract = "Objective: Multivariate base rates allow for the simultaneous statistical interpretation of multiple test scores, quantifying the normal frequency of low scores on a test battery. This study provides multivariate base rates for the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS). Method: The D-KEFS consists of 9 tests with 16 Total Achievement scores (i.e. primary indicators of executive function ability). Stratified by education and intelligence, multivariate base rates were derived for the full D-KEFS and an abbreviated four-test battery (i.e. Trail Making, Color-Word Interference, Verbal Fluency, and Tower Test) using the adult portion of the normative sample (ages 16–89). Results: Multivariate base rates are provided for the full and four-test D-KEFS batteries, calculated using five low score cutoffs (i.e. ≤25th, 16th, 9th, 5th, and 2nd percentiles). Low scores occurred commonly among the D-KEFS normative sample, with 82.6 and 71.8\% of participants obtaining at least one score ≤16th percentile for the full and four-test batteries, respectively. Intelligence and education were inversely related to low score frequency. Conclusions: The base rates provided herein allow clinicians to interpret multiple D-KEFS scores simultaneously for the full D-KEFS and an abbreviated battery of commonly administered tests. The use of these base rates will support clinicians when differentiating between normal variations in cognitive performance and true executive function deficits.",

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author = "Karr, \{Justin E.\} and Garcia-Barrera, \{Mauricio A.\} and Holdnack, \{James A.\} and Iverson, \{Grant L.\}",

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language = "English",

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AU - Iverson, Grant L.

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N2 - Objective: Multivariate base rates allow for the simultaneous statistical interpretation of multiple test scores, quantifying the normal frequency of low scores on a test battery. This study provides multivariate base rates for the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS). Method: The D-KEFS consists of 9 tests with 16 Total Achievement scores (i.e. primary indicators of executive function ability). Stratified by education and intelligence, multivariate base rates were derived for the full D-KEFS and an abbreviated four-test battery (i.e. Trail Making, Color-Word Interference, Verbal Fluency, and Tower Test) using the adult portion of the normative sample (ages 16–89). Results: Multivariate base rates are provided for the full and four-test D-KEFS batteries, calculated using five low score cutoffs (i.e. ≤25th, 16th, 9th, 5th, and 2nd percentiles). Low scores occurred commonly among the D-KEFS normative sample, with 82.6 and 71.8% of participants obtaining at least one score ≤16th percentile for the full and four-test batteries, respectively. Intelligence and education were inversely related to low score frequency. Conclusions: The base rates provided herein allow clinicians to interpret multiple D-KEFS scores simultaneously for the full D-KEFS and an abbreviated battery of commonly administered tests. The use of these base rates will support clinicians when differentiating between normal variations in cognitive performance and true executive function deficits.

AB - Objective: Multivariate base rates allow for the simultaneous statistical interpretation of multiple test scores, quantifying the normal frequency of low scores on a test battery. This study provides multivariate base rates for the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS). Method: The D-KEFS consists of 9 tests with 16 Total Achievement scores (i.e. primary indicators of executive function ability). Stratified by education and intelligence, multivariate base rates were derived for the full D-KEFS and an abbreviated four-test battery (i.e. Trail Making, Color-Word Interference, Verbal Fluency, and Tower Test) using the adult portion of the normative sample (ages 16–89). Results: Multivariate base rates are provided for the full and four-test D-KEFS batteries, calculated using five low score cutoffs (i.e. ≤25th, 16th, 9th, 5th, and 2nd percentiles). Low scores occurred commonly among the D-KEFS normative sample, with 82.6 and 71.8% of participants obtaining at least one score ≤16th percentile for the full and four-test batteries, respectively. Intelligence and education were inversely related to low score frequency. Conclusions: The base rates provided herein allow clinicians to interpret multiple D-KEFS scores simultaneously for the full D-KEFS and an abbreviated battery of commonly administered tests. The use of these base rates will support clinicians when differentiating between normal variations in cognitive performance and true executive function deficits.

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Advanced clinical interpretation of the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System: multivariate base rates of low scores

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

UN SDGs

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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