Validation of the neuropsychological assessment battery screening tool (s-nab) in participants with traumatic brain injury in the UK

Sustaining a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can have a profound impact upon an individual’s congnitive functioning (Iverson, Holdnack & Lange, 2013) and the ability to accurately recognize cognitive impairment following a TBI is imperative to rehabilitation planning and has been shown to predict recovery outcomes (Lau, Collins & Lorrell, 2012). There are no validated cognitive screening tools used within the TBI population to date. 22 individuals with a mild-complicated to severe TBI completed the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery Screening Tool (S-NAB) and a battery of well-established neuropsychological assessments (WAIS-IV, WMS-IV, D-KEFS) as part of their routine post-injury clinical care. The S-NAB Total Index score evidenced strong and significant correlations with all but one domain of the WAIS-IV and WMS-IV. Significant correlations were also observed between the S-NAB Total Index score and many elements of the D-KEFS. In addition to this, almost all of the S-NAB cognitive module index scores (Attention, Language, Spatial, Executive Functioning) evidenced significant correlations with domains of the neuropsychological battery that measure similar cognitive functioning. This research study provides preliminary data which supports S-NAB construct validity in persons with a TBI. The current results should be used to guide further study to establish construct validity in the S-NAB