WHO-UCLA auditory verbal learning test: Normative data for Spanish-speaking adults in the United States.

Abstract

Background: Hispanics are a significant demographic in the U.S., with diverse cultures and languages. Assessing cognition in this group is complex as cultural and linguistic factors have been found to affect test performance.

Objective: To generate normative data on the World Health Organization-University of California Los Angeles Auditory Verbal Learning Test (WHO-UCLA AVLT) in a sample of Spanish-speaking Hispanics residing in the U.S.

Methods: The sample included 245 Spanish-speaking individuals aged 18-80 across the U.S. (California, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, New Jersey, Oregon, Virginia, and Wisconsin). Participants were administered the WHO-UCLA AVLT as part of a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. A Bayesian regression approach was used to estimate normative data, including covariates found to be important for predicting performances on measures of learning and memory.

Results: Bayesian models showed a logarithmic link between education and all WHO-UCLA AVLT trials, except recognition. For delayed recall, increased Spanish proficiency benefited women's performance exclusively. Time in the U.S. was a significant predictor for total recall, indicating worse performance with longer residency.

Conclusion: Recognizing cultural factors like language proficiency and duration of U.S. residence is essential for accurately evaluating cognitive function among Spanish-speaking Hispanics. This research emphasizes the importance of accounting for cultural nuances in developing norms for neuropsychological assessments, thereby improving their relevance and effectiveness in diverse communities.