Effect of Dysphasia and Spatial Distortion on Wechsler-Bellevue Results

Abstract

Psychological testing of patients with complaints resulting in admission to neurology and neurological surgery services frequently reveals striking deficiencies in fundamental abilities. In a group of 221 patients with verified brain damage, 64 (29%) showed an inability to copy a Greek cross without clear error or distortion. Forty-seven (21%) of the group showed definite evidence of dysphasia. Twenty-one of these patients showed both of these deficits. Since disabilities of these types are usually easily detected and demonstrated without detailed or time-consuming testing, it seemed of value to inquire regarding the possibility of their more general significance with respect to psychological test results. Material and Methods In composing the groups for comparative study the first step was to select all patients who gave evidence of dysphasia or who had any difficulty in copying a Greek cross. The Halstead-Wepman Aphasia Screening Test had been administered to each patient routinely and was used