Using base rates of low scores to interpret the ANAM4 TBI-MIL battery following mild traumatic brain injury

Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2015 Feb;30(1):26-38. doi: 10.1093/arclin/acu072. Epub 2014 Dec 19.

Abstract

Base rates of low ANAM4 TBI-MIL scores were calculated in a convenience sample of 733 healthy male active duty soldiers using available military reference values for the following cutoffs: ≤2nd percentile (2 SDs), ≤5th percentile, <10th percentile, and <16th percentile (1 SD). Rates of low scores were also calculated in 56 active duty male soldiers who sustained an mTBI an average of 23 days (SD = 36.1) prior. 22.0% of the healthy sample and 51.8% of the mTBI sample had two or more scores below 1 SD (i.e., 16th percentile). 18.8% of the healthy sample and 44.6% of the mTBI sample had one or more scores ≤5th percentile. Rates of low scores in the healthy sample were influenced by cutoffs and race/ethnicity. Importantly, some healthy soldiers obtain at least one low score on ANAM4. These base rate analyses can improve the methodology for interpreting ANAM4 performance in clinical practice and research.

Keywords: Base rates; Cognitive testing; Low scores; Mild traumatic brain injury; Military.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Injuries / complications
  • Brain Injuries / diagnosis*
  • Brain Injuries / psychology
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology
  • Humans
  • Learning
  • Male
  • Military Personnel
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Neuropsychological Tests*
  • Problem Solving
  • Reaction Time
  • Reference Values
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult