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PubMed1995

Effects of age, education, and living environment on Boston Naming Test performance.

The 60-item Boston Naming Test (BNT; Kaplan, Goodglass, & Weintraub, 1983) was administered to 323 normal elderly subjects between the ages of 65 and 97. The combined effects of age, education, and living environment (institutionalized/independent living) on total test score was determined. These three variables accounted for 32% of the variance in BNT performance. Educational background accounted for the greatest proportion of the variance, followed by age and living environment. There was also a significant interaction between age, education, and living environment. Overall, increased age adversely affected BNT scores. However, institutionalized subjects with a sixth-ninth grade education performed poorly on the BNT regardless of age. In addition, there was little difference in BNT performance according to age or living environment for the well educated. (The only exceptions were the oldest institutionalized subjects, who performed poorly on the BNT regardless of level of education.) The data presented in this study should be helpful for those clinicians who administer the BNT to elderly patients who are institutionalized or who have a limited educational background.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2001

Perceptions of body image, happiness and satisfaction in adolescents wearing a Boston brace for scoliosis treatment.

AIMS: To explore the impact of bracing on the perceptions of body image, happiness and satisfaction of adolescents with scoliosis. DESIGN: The study was designed as compare of 134 girls and 16 boys who wore a Boston type brace for scoliosis treatment and a control group of 99 healthy girls and 51 healthy boys. All them were secondary school pupils living in Athens Greece and were interviewed. A semi-structured schedule included general questions, and the Piers-Harris scale was used. Data were analysed using the SPSS/PC+ software, and descriptive statistics, factor analysis and the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test. Statistical significance was set at P=0.05 or less. RESULTS: The scoliosis group had a poorer perception of body image in comparison to the control group (P=0.048), while boys with scoliosis (P=0.030) had a better perception of body image than girls with scoliosis. Girls with scoliosis had a statistically significant difference (P=0.0388) in perception of happiness and satisfaction, in comparison with girls in the control group. Cohabitation with the mother seemed to be negatively correlated with body image, happiness and satisfaction perceptions because adolescents with scoliosis who were not living with their mother had a better body image perception (P=0.027) as well as better perceptions of happiness and satisfaction (P=0.047). Nevertheless, only 5% of those with scoliosis declared that they had opportunities to discuss their feelings and problems with health professionals, while 90% of them declared that they wanted to have more opportunities to do this. CONCLUSION: Adolescents with scoliosis face problems during bracing and they need to be supported by health care professionals.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Relationship between the self-administered Boston questionnaire and electrophysiological findings in follow-up of surgically-treated carpal tunnel syndrome.

A prospective study of electrophysiological examination and the Boston self-administered questionnaire (BQ) was carried out in patients with surgically-treated carpal tunnel syndrome. There were 104 hands in 93 patients (13 men and 80 women, mean age 56 years). The BQ was used to assess the severity of symptoms and function, and nerve conduction studies were done before surgical release by short incision at the palm, and at follow-ups 1 and 6 months after surgery. The BQ severity score improved or became normal in 98% of hands. The mean BQ scores and distal sensory and motor conduction velocities in the median nerve showed significant improvement at the 1 month follow-up. Further significant improvement was found at 6 months. There was no relationship between the improvements in BQ scores and the distal conduction in the median nerve. The degree of improvement in sensory and motor distal conduction velocities could be forecast from presurgical values, whereas the degree of improvement in the symptoms and the functional status after release could not be predicted from the presurgical BQ scores.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Hyponatremia among runners in the Boston Marathon.

BACKGROUND: Hyponatremia has emerged as an important cause of race-related death and life-threatening illness among marathon runners. We studied a cohort of marathon runners to estimate the incidence of hyponatremia and to identify the principal risk factors. METHODS: Participants in the 2002 Boston Marathon were recruited one or two days before the race. Subjects completed a survey describing demographic information and training history. After the race, runners provided a blood sample and completed a questionnaire detailing their fluid consumption and urine output during the race. Prerace and postrace weights were recorded. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with hyponatremia. RESULTS: Of 766 runners enrolled, 488 runners (64 percent) provided a usable blood sample at the finish line. Thirteen percent had hyponatremia (a serum sodium concentration of 135 mmol per liter or less); 0.6 percent had critical hyponatremia (120 mmol per liter or less). On univariate analyses, hyponatremia was associated with substantial weight gain, consumption of more than 3 liters of fluids during the race, consumption of fluids every mile, a racing time of >4:00 hours, female sex, and low body-mass index. On multivariate analysis, hyponatremia was associated with weight gain (odds ratio, 4.2; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.2 to 8.2), a racing time of >4:00 hours (odds ratio for the comparison with a time of <3:30 hours, 7.4; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.9 to 23.1), and body-mass-index extremes. CONCLUSIONS: Hyponatremia occurs in a substantial fraction of nonelite marathon runners and can be severe. Considerable weight gain while running, a long racing time, and body-mass-index extremes were associated with hyponatremia, whereas female sex, composition of fluids ingested, and use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs were not.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2001

Association of specific allergen sensitization with socioeconomic factors and allergic disease in a population of Boston women.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic differences in allergic disease prevalence have been reported; asthma has been associated with poverty in the United States and hay fever and eczema with relative affluence elsewhere. It is not yet established to what degree such differences in disease prevalence reflect patterns of sensitization and specific allergen sensitivities. OBJECTIVE: We analyzed specific and total IgE measurements in a sample of 458 women, enriched for allergic disease, from the metropolitan Boston area to establish the relation of allergen sensitization to markers of socioeconomic status (SES) and to the prevalence and socioeconomic pattern of allergic disease in this community. METHODS: Total and specific IgE antibodies were measured with the UNICAP System; self-reported allergic disease, household income, education, and race-ethnicity were ascertained with a questionnaire; and a further marker of poverty (percentage living below the poverty level) in the women's area of residence was established on the basis of zip codes. Analysis was performed with SAS statistical software. RESULTS: Markers of low SES were univariately associated with increases in total IgE, number of allergen sensitizations, and levels of specific IgE. Socioeconomic differences in sensitization to cockroach (35% vs 6% in the highest and lowest poverty areas), animal (44% vs 26%), and ragweed (49% vs 23%) allergens were most marked. Sensitization primarily to indoor inhalant allergens (not ragweed or ryegrass) were associated with an increased risk of asthma, even after adjustment for SES. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated a socioeconomic gradient in sensitization that concords with increased rates of asthma in less affluent communities in this population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

The Boston Qualitative Scoring System as a measure of executive functioning in Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure performance.

The Boston Qualitative Scoring System (BQSS) for the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) includes five scores (Planning, Fragmentation, Neatness, Perseveration, and Organization) developed to measure the executive aspects of ROCF productions. To assess the convergent and discriminant validity of the BQSS, these five scores were compared to scores on four traditional tests of executive functioning, as well as to three non-executive measures, in 141 adult patients. BQSS executive variables significantly correlated with the traditional executive measures and were less correlated with discriminant measures. The BQSS Organization summary score also significantly differentiated patients with either no, mild, or severe executive dysfunction. These results support the construct validity of the BQSS and demonstrate that the ROCF may be a useful measure of executive functioning.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Psychometric properties of the Boston Qualitative Scoring System for the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure.

Interrater and internal consistency reliabilities were computed for the Boston Qualitative Scoring System, a newly developed system for scoring the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure. Subjects (N = 108) included males with right hemisphere stroke (n = 46), left hemisphere stroke (n = 20), dementia (n = 21), and normal controls (n = 21). Interrater reliability coefficients for all scales except asymmetry, which had a reliability coefficient of .2013, ranged from .6342 to .9919, with most in the good to excellent range. Internal consistency reliabilities ranged from .7774 to .9128, also with most in the good to excellent range. Discriminant indices of visuospatial accuracy scales found the scoring system to be useful in distinguishing between individuals based on visuospatial scores.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure performance in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a validation study of the Boston Qualitative Scoring System.

Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) productions from 18 adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) were compared to 18 matched controls using the Boston Qualitative Scoring System (BQSS). ADHD adults showed impairment in measures of configural accuracy, planning, and neatness. A logistic regression model resulted in 75% sensitivity and 81% specificity in discriminating ADHD from control subjects. In contrast, there was no significant difference on the traditional ROCF 36-point score, and the sensitivity and specificity for the 36-point score were lower (68% and 71%, respectively). These findings suggest persisting executive dysfunction in adults with ADHD that can be detected in ROCF productions. Thus, the BQSS may be a useful tool contributing to the neuropsychological evaluation of adults with ADHD.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Odd/Even short forms of the Boston Naming Test: preliminary geriatric norms.

It has been suggested that the 30-item version of the Boston Naming Test (BNT), in which either the odd or even items from the standard 60-item test are given, is the most psychometrically sound short form. However, no normative data are available for this version. We administered the Odd/Even BNT to 30 community-dwelling elderly individuals (age M = 72.93, range 61-84; education M = 13.73) in order to collect normative data. Odd and even forms were equivalent. The combined mean total correct score was 27.13 (SD = 2.06), a score consistent with that derived by retrospective extraction in the original odd/even test construction study. Each form discriminated normals from age- and education-matched patients with probable Alzheimer's disease, suggesting criterion-related validity.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Normative data on the Boston Naming Test and two equivalent 30-item short forms.

Because of the significance of the Boston Naming Test (BNT) in the differential diagnosis of the dementias, especially Alzheimer's disease, adequate norms from community-dwelling elderly individuals are essential. The present study describes the development of two new empirically derived equivalent short forms (30 items each) of the test. Normative data for the total BNT and the two equivalent 30-item halves based on item difficulty are presented using the performance of 314 community-dwelling individuals aged 65 and over. Age and education norms are presented using an overlapping midpoint interval strategy.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

A review of the Boston Naming Test and multiple-occasion normative data for older adults on 15-item versions.

The literature reveals numerous versions of the Boston Naming Test (BNT) but normative data for very old people are scarce. Using four shortened versions of the BNT we produced normative data and examined naming ability longitudinally in a population-based sample of community dwelling elderly people. Our initial sample comprised 803 people with an average age of 76 years (range 65-93) who were examined twice, 2 years apart. A sub-sample of 326 people were followed-up 6 years later and re-examined. Results indicated that age and education level, but not gender, affected naming ability.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1998

Parallel short forms for the Boston Naming Test: psychometric properties and norms for older adults.

Four 15-item and two 30-item short forms for the Boston Naming Test were validated using 108 non-neurological community-dwelling adults, ages 57-85. All forms were administered to all participants (counterbalanced), with no effect of administration sequence on any score. An age effect emerged (Multiple R = .28, p< or =.01). No effects for education or gender were found, nor were there any interactions (p> or = .10). Descriptive data are stratified by age group. Reliability and validity for each form were demonstrated in several ways. These short forms should be very useful as screening instruments and/or as alternate forms for the BNT in test-retest clinical protocols, pre-post experimental designs, and longitudinal research.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Rated familiarity, visual complexity, and image agreement and their relation to naming difficulty for items from the Boston naming test.

The purpose of this experiment was to obtain data on the name agreement, familiarity, visual complexity, and imageability of the 60 line drawings of objects that comprise the Boston Naming Test (BNT). One group (N=64) named and then rated each item for visual complexity. Another group (N=98) rated the familiarity of each depicted concept and a third group (N=41) rated each drawing for how closely it matched their mental image of the item's name. Significant correlations between several measures were found and the results were consistent with those obtained by Snodgrass and Vanderwart (1980) for 21 overlapping concepts depicted in both the BNT and their set of items.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Equivalent forms of the Boston Naming Test.

In order to develop a test of naming ability that is sensitive to changes in performance on repeated testing, but is unbiased by practice effects, the 85 items of the Boston Naming Test (BNT) were divided into two 42-item forms. Both forms were given to 15 healthy adult subjects, 24 patients with a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, and 17 patients with other brain lesions. The reliability of the BNT was high as measured by coefficient alpha and interitem correlations. Performance on the two forms of the test was similar as indicated by mean scores and by correlations between scores. The BNT score includes uncued (spontaneous) and cued responses. When uncued responses were analyzed separately, the reliability and equivalence of the forms remained strong. Using uncued scores therefore does not alter the psychometric properties of the test, and considerably reduces administration time. The modification of the BNT described here should be useful in studies in which repeated measurements are obtained for the purpose of detecting changes in naming ability.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed1986

Normative data on the Boston Naming Test for a group of normal older adults.

The 60-item Boston Naming Test was administered to a group of 78 normal, bright, and independently living older adults in five age groupings from 59 to 80+ in an attempt to generate normative data for an older population. Results indicated that naming abilities decline only slightly with advancing age (r = -.33), although consistent with prior research, more variation in performance was found in the higher age groups.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Normative data on the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination in a Spanish-speaking population.

Normative data of the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (Goodglass & Kaplan, 1972) in a Spanish-speaking population is presented. This test was given to 180 neurologically normal adults grouped according to three variables: sex, age, and educational level. The statistically significant differences found are presented. Few differences appeared between sexes, but there were marked differences among the different age groups and in particular among educational levels. A correction to the scoring is proposed for each of the subtests according the patient's educational level.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The 60-item Boston Naming Test: norms for cognitively intact adults aged 25 to 88 years.

Age- and education-stratified norms on the 60-item Boston Naming Test (BNT) are presented for 219 cognitively intact adults aged 25-88 years. The sample size, age range, and education levels of this sample represent an improvement over currently available norms. Eight short forms of the BNT are compared with the 60-item BNT. Frequency of errors for individual BNT items and the distribution of incorrect responses over seven different categories of errors are discussed. Finally, specific probes to overcome difficulties with ambiguous items are suggested.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Performance of elderly White and African American community residents on the abbreviated CERAD Boston Naming Test.

Differences in the responses of an elderly biracial group of cognitively normal subjects to a 15-item short version of the Boston Naming Test developed for the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) were examined. The subjects consisted of 103 Whites and 136 African Americans who were 70 years of age and older and living in a five-county urban and rural area of North Carolina. They were drawn from the Duke University site of the Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE). All were cognitively normal. With gender, years of education, and age controlled, White subjects performed significantly better than did African American subjects. The items in this test were selected to represent words with a high, medium, and low frequency of occurrence in English. They did not, however, show the expected gradation for either racial group. Medium and low frequency items were of comparable difficulty for the two races. Hierarchical ordering of difficulty would be improved with minor rearrangement of items.

Aged↗