Normative Symbol Digit Modalities Test performance in a community-based sample

Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2006 Jan;21(1):23-8. doi: 10.1016/j.acn.2005.07.003. Epub 2005 Aug 31.

Abstract

The Symbol Digit Modalities Test is a substitution task that is the inverse of the Digit Symbol Test. The familiar task of filling numbers in boxes, and the availability of an oral administration, make this a popular screening instrument for brain impairment. Normative data were previously reported for a variety of clinical groups, but complete information on non-clinical samples across age, education, gender, and socioeconomic status is limited. The present study examines the performance of a community-dwelling control sample across age, education, gender, and income groupings. In a multivariate model, these four variables did not impact test performance. These results support the utilization of the SDMT as a robust screening test for adult neuropsychological impairment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Attention / physiology
  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Income
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests*
  • Reference Values
  • Sex Factors
  • Task Performance and Analysis
  • Visual Perception / physiology