Factor Structure of the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery in Individuals With Acquired Brain Injury

Objective: The National Institutes of Health Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) measures reading, vocabulary, episodic memory, working memory, executive functioning, and processing speed. While previous research has validated the factor structure in healthy adults, the factor structure has not bee...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Rehabilitation psychology 2017-11, Vol.62 (4), p.435-442
Main Authors: Tulsky, David S, Holdnack, James A, Cohen, Matthew L, Heaton, Robert K, Carlozzi, Noelle E, Wong, Alex W. K, Boulton, Aaron J, Heinemann, Allen W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Brain Injuries - complications
Brain Injuries - psychology
Cerebrovascular Accidents
Cognition
Cognition Disorders - complications
Cognition Disorders - diagnosis
Cognition Disorders - psychology
Factor Analysis, Statistical
Factor Structure
Female
Human
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
National Institutes of Health (U.S.)
Neuropsychological Assessment
Neuropsychological Tests - statistics & numerical data
Reproducibility of Results
Test Battery
Traumatic Brain Injury
United States
Young Adult
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Summary:Objective: The National Institutes of Health Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) measures reading, vocabulary, episodic memory, working memory, executive functioning, and processing speed. While previous research has validated the factor structure in healthy adults, the factor structure has not been examined in adults with neurological impairments. Thus, this study evaluated the NIHTB-CB factor structure in individuals with acquired brain injury. Method: A sample of 392 individuals (ages 18-84) with acquired brain injury (n = 182 TBI, n = 210 stroke) completed the NIHTB-CB along with neuropsychological tests as part of a larger, multisite research project. Results: Confirmatory factor analyses supported a 5-factor solution that included reading, vocabulary, episodic memory, working memory, and processing speed/executive functioning. This structure generally held in TBI and stroke subsamples as well as in subsamples of those with severe TBI and stroke injuries. Conclusions: The factor structure of the NIHTB-CB is similar in adults with acquired brain injury to adults from the general population. We discuss the implications of these findings for clinical practice and clinical research. Impact and Implications The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery was developed for and validated in the general population. It has great potential for clinical and research applications with individuals with acquired brain injury, but requires validation in these groups to establish its clinical utility. This study provides evidence of construct validity of the NIHTB-CB by replicating the factor structure in a sample of adults with acquired brain injury. The American Psychological Association guidelines state that new tests must demonstrate construct validity prior to use in practice or research. The results of this study support the use of the NIHTB-CB for clinical research and practice with adults with acquired brain injury.
ISSN:0090-5550
1939-1544
DOI:10.1037/rep0000183