Inter-trial Reliability, Cardio and Demographic Markers of Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test Performance in Young Adult Sample from Nigeria

Abstract

Objectives: The current study examines the inter-trial reliability as well as cardio and demographic markers of Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) performances in Nigeria young adult sample. Methods: Young adults between the ages of 22 – 40, were enrolled for the study. They included healthy controls (HC, n = 102) and psychiatric group (PG, n = 25) who completed the serial test protocols of RAVLT as well few indices of cardio status: Blood pressure (systolic/diastolic) and pulse rate. Results: Correlation analysis showed significant positive inter-trial correlations among trials 1 – 5 of RAVLT. When the immediate post interference and delayed trials were built into the analysis, positive significant relationships were also found. However no significant relationships were found on time taken to complete each trials of RAVLT except on few trials. Regression analyses showed low predictive strength of systolic and diastolic pressures and pulse rate on total performance score of RAVLT (Trials 1 – 5) as well as the delayed trial score. However the pulse rate showed strong predictor of Recall Word List (RWL) trial of RAVLT. Analysis of covariance showed significant group differences in all trials of RAVLT except the distraction trial. Equally gender differences were found on total trial, distraction trial and delayed trial respectively. Conclusion: The study was the first to examine some psychometric properties of RAVLT in Nigeria sample and highlights good inter-trial reliability and discriminant validity of the test. It further highlights the possible roles of cardio variables on episodic memory in young adults and may have implications for treatment among this group.