Western Aphasia Battery-Revised (WAB-R)

The Western Aphasia Battery-Revised (WAB-R) is a modified version of the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB; Kertesz, 1982). It is an individually administered test designed to assess a patient’s language function following a stroke, dementia, or other acquired neurological disorder. Similar to its predecessor, the WAB-R evaluates both linguistic and nonlinguistic skills. Linguistic skills evaluated include speech content, fluency, auditory comprehension, repetition, naming, reading, and writing. Nonlinguistic skills measured encompass drawing, calculation, block design, and apraxia. The WAB-R provides composite scores, including an Aphasia Quotient, a Language Quotient, and a Cortical Quotient.

• Author: Andrew Kertesz, M.D. F.R.C.P. (C)
• Publication Date: 2006
• Age Range: Adults or Teenage Children (18 to 89 years)
• Administration Time: Full battery – 30-45 minutes, additional 45-60 minutes for the reading, writing, praxis, and construction sections Bedside – 15 minutes

Purpose of Western Aphasia  Battery (WAB)

The WAB-R serves the following purposes:

1. Identify the presence, severity, and type of aphasia.
2. Gauge the patient’s performance level, establishing a baseline for tracking changes over time.
3. Conduct a thorough assessment of the patient’s language strengths and weaknesses to inform treatment and management decisions.
4. Deduce the location and cause of the lesion responsible for aphasia.

By utilizing a taxonomic table established during the standardization of the original WAB, the WAB-R facilitates the classification of aphasia types (such as Global, Broca’s, Isolation, Transcortical Motor, Wernicke’s, Trariscortical Sensory, Conduction, Anornic). This classification, along with severity determination, offers a clinically valid foundation for research, diagnosis, and prognosis.

Components of Western Aphasia Battery-Revised (WAB-R)

The WAB-R consists 2 Record forms and a Bedside Record Form:

Record Form 1: Provides space to record the patient’s responses to the oral language sections of the test:

1. Spontaneous Speech (Conversational Questions and Picture Description)
2. Auditory Verbal Comprehension (Yes/No Questions, Auditory Word Recognition, and Sequential commands)
3. Repetition
4. Naming and Word Finding (Object Naming, Word Fluency, Sentence Completion, and Responsive Speech)

Record Form 2 (Supplemental): Provides space to record the patient’s responses to the sections of the test that are considered supplemental.

1. Reading (Comprehension of Sentences, Reading Commands, Written Word-Object Choice Matching, Written Word-Picture Choice Matching, Picture-Written Word Choice Matching, Spoken Word-Written Word Choice Matching, Letter Discrimination)
2. Writing (Writing Upon Request, Writing Output, Writing to Dictation, Writing Dictated Words, Alphabet and Numbers, Dictated Letters and Numbers, Copying a Sentence)
3. Apraxia
4. Constructional, Visuospatial, and Calculation (Drawing, Block Design, Calculation)
5. Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices
6. Supplemental Writing and Reading (Writing Irregular Words to Dictation, Writing Non-Words to Dictation, Reading Irregular Words, Reading Non-Words)

Bedside Record Form: Provides instructions for administering selected tasks and space for recording and scoring responses. The Bedside Record Form is designed for ease of use in hospitals and acute care settings.

Western Aphasia Battery-Revised (WAB-R) Socring and Quotients

The WAB-R functions as a criterion-referenced test, employing cut scores established through data gathered since the original Western Aphasia Battery’s publication. Each section provides a total score, such as the Auditory Verbal Comprehension score.

Three quotient scores are generated by combining the eight section scores:

1. Aphasia Quotient
2. Language Quotient
3. Cortical Quotient

The Aphasia Quotient serves as the central measure for aphasia and is derived from Spontaneous Speech and Auditory Verbal Comprehension, encompassing repetition, naming, and word-finding section scores.

Scoring WAB-R Bedside Record Form

Scoring the WAB-R Bedside Record Form involves computing the Bedside Aphasia Score and Bedside Language Score as per the Bedside Record Form instructions. The Bedside Aphasia Classification Criteria Table is then utilized to identify the patient’s aphasia type.

Scoring WAB-R Record Form 1

Step 1: Transfer Task Scores
Step 2: Calculate Section Scores
Step 3: Compute the Aphasia Quotient (AQ)
Step 4: Determine Aphasia Type based on the WAB-R Score using the Aphasia Classification Criteria.

Scoring WAB-R Record Form 2:

Step 1: Transfer Task Scores
Step 2: Calculate Section Scores
Step 3: Compute the Language Quotient (LQ) and Cortical Quotient (CQ).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Western Aphasia Battery-Revised (WAB-R) stands as a comprehensive and meticulously designed tool for assessing language function in individuals affected by strokes, dementia, or other neurological disorders. Developed as a refined version of its predecessor, the WAB-R meticulously evaluates both linguistic and nonlinguistic skills, providing valuable insights into the patient’s language strengths and weaknesses. Its taxonomic table, carried over from the original WAB, facilitates the precise classification of aphasia types, contributing to robust research, diagnosis, and prognosis. The WAB-R not only identifies the presence and severity of aphasia but also serves as a dynamic tool for tracking changes over time and informing treatment decisions. Its efficient administration time and purpose-driven components make it a valuable asset in clinical settings, providing clinicians with a reliable baseline for tailored interventions and informed patient management.

Furthermore, the WAB-R’s scoring system, featuring three quotient scores – Aphasia Quotient, Language Quotient, and Cortical Quotient – adds depth to its evaluative capabilities. The inclusion of bedside and supplementary record forms ensures flexibility in its application across different clinical settings. The detailed instructions for scoring, including the Aphasia Classification Criteria, enhance the clinical utility of the WAB-R. In essence, the WAB-R not only serves as a diagnostic tool but also as a dynamic and adaptable resource that empowers healthcare professionals in understanding, classifying, and managing aphasia in diverse clinical contexts.

FAQs about Western Aphasia Battery-Revised (WAB-R)

1. What does the Western Aphasia Battery test?

The Western Aphasia Battery (WAB-R) is designed to assess a patient’s language function following a stroke, dementia, or other acquired neurological disorder. It evaluates both linguistic and nonlinguistic skills, including speech content, fluency, auditory comprehension, repetition, naming, reading, writing, drawing, calculation, block design, and apraxia. The test provides composite scores such as the Aphasia Quotient, Language Quotient, and Cortical Quotient.

2. Can the Western Aphasia Battery be used for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

The WAB-R is primarily designed for assessing language function after conditions like stroke or dementia. While it may not be specifically tailored for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), some components, such as drawing, calculation, and certain nonlinguistic skills, could provide useful information. However, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate assessment tool for TBI cases.

3. What is the purpose of the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB-R)?

The WAB-R serves several purposes:

• • Identifying the presence, severity, and type of aphasia.
  • Establishing a baseline for tracking changes in a patient’s language performance over time.
  • Conducting a comprehensive assessment of language strengths and weaknesses for treatment decisions.
  • Determining the location and cause of the lesion responsible for aphasia.

4. How does the WAB-R classify different types of aphasia?

The WAB-R facilitates the classification of aphasia types, including Global, Broca’s, Isolation, Transcortical Motor, Wernicke’s, Transcortical Sensory, Conduction, and Anomic. This classification is based on a taxonomic table established during the standardization of the original WAB, offering a clinically valid foundation for research, diagnosis, and prognosis.

5. What are the quotient scores generated by the WAB-R?

The WAB-R generates three quotient scores by combining eight section scores:

• • Aphasia Quotient, which serves as the central measure for aphasia.
  • Language Quotient, derived from certain linguistic skills.
  • Cortical Quotient, providing information about nonlinguistic cognitive functions.

References:

• Western Aphasia Battery-Revised | WAB-R

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Western Aphasia Battery-Revised (WAB-R)