Single versus composite score discriminative validity with the Halstead—Reitan Battery and the Stroop Test in mild brain injury

The predictive validity of single measures from the Halstead—Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery and Stroop Neuropsychological Screening Test were evaluated in a sample of 25 mild traumatic brain-injured and 25 neurologically normal subjects and compared to the accuracy of composite score measures, specifically the General Neuropsychological Deficit Scale and the Halstead Impairment Index. Whereas several measures from the Halstead Impairment Index achieved significantly better than chance prediction, the two summary measures from the Halstead—Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery predicted the neurological status of the subjects with the most accuracy. The Stroop Neuropsychological Screening Test did not perform well as a single predictor. Together, these results suggest that single-measure screening tests do not predict mild brain-injury as well as composite neuropsychological measures. The results also give credence to the argument of comprehensive testing for brain-injured patients whose injuries are deemed medically mild.