Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery: What It Is And How To Use It
Neuropsychological batteries encompass a series of tests and tests that evaluate different neuropsychological functions, such as perceptual organization, visual function, language, motor skills, perception, writing, etc.
In this article We will learn about the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery (HRNTB), a tool typical of the American current. We will explain its most important features and analyze the 9 tests it includes.
Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery: what it is, and characteristics
The Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery (HRNTB) comes from the American mainstream. Unlike the European current (with the Luria Battery as a typical test), which focuses on a qualitative evaluation, the American current focuses on a quantitative evaluation.
This battery constitutes, together with the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery (LNNB), one of the most advanced tests to determine whether or not there is organic brain damage In addition, both allow us to determine with sufficient precision the location of that damage, if it exists.
What does it evaluate?
The Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery Applies to subjects over 15 years of age and is used to detect neurological and psychiatric alterations, based on the evaluation of a great diversity of neuropsychological functions.
It allows you to analyze the individual’s verbal, manipulative, sequential and spatial skills, among others The results obtained from it also allow us to differentiate subjects with brain damage from healthy subjects.
On the other hand, the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery includes a Deterioration Index that encompasses the first 5 tests (categories, tactile execution, rhythm, sound perception and tapping), which we will see later. If the subject obtains a score less than 0.4, it is considered indicative of brain injury.
Evidence that is part of it
The battery is made up of 9 different tests, which are its parts. We will see them below.
1. Category test
The first test or test of the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery examines the subject’s ability to establish general principles from the experience provided through relevant information.
2. Touch execution test
This test explores the speed and motor coordination of the subject In this test, 10 different figures are superimposed (each one in a space).
The task is to insert a given figure into the corresponding hole or gap, blindfolded. First, the examinee must perform the task using his or her “preferred” hand, and then the other. Finally, he uses both.
3. Seashore Rhythm Test
The Seashore test evaluates non-verbal auditory perception, sustained attention and concentration These functions appear altered in certain brain lesions.
The test is made up of 30 sounds; each consists of 2 rhythmic patterns. The subject’s task is to indicate, for each element, whether the patterns are the same or different from each other. The score for this test is based on the number of errors made during its application.
4. Sound perception test (or nonsense words)
The fourth test evaluates audio-verbal perception and attention It is made up of 6 parts; Each one is made up of 10 elements. In each item, the examinee listens to a meaningless word through a tape recorder; This must be recognized among the 4 that make up each element (they are presented in written form to the subject).
Evaluate speed and motor coordination in the right and left hand That is, it is a test of motor speed. The subject must use their index finger to press a lever connected to a manual counter.
6. Indiana-Reitan Aphasia Test
This test It is indicated to evaluate expressive or receptive language disorders, deficits in reading-writing processes and numerical calculation It is made up of 42 elements.
7. Sensory-perceptual examination
The seventh test of the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery evaluates tactile perception using numbers and objects, as well as visual and auditory perception
It consists of: perception with bilateral stimulation, finger recognition through tactile stimulation, perception of numbers written on the tips of the fingers and tactile recognition of shapes such as a square, a cross or a triangle.
8. Lateral dominance
Evaluate lateral dominance of the hand, foot and eye (which are the dominant ones). It also analyzes the capabilities of the non-dominant hand.
9. Layout test
The last test of the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery evaluates the ability to understand numbers and letters, as well as exploration ability (on a sheet of paper), processing speed and cognitive flexibility.
It is made up of two parts, A and B. Part A is made up of 25 circles distributed on a sheet, numbered from 1 to 25. The examinee is asked to connect the circles, as quickly as possible, by drawing a line. between them (in numerical order).
Part B is made up of 25 circles as well, this time containing numbers and letters. The objective is to alternate the letters and numbers in numerical and alphabetical order (that is, A1, B2, C3,…), until all the circles are joined.
As we have seen, the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery, broadly speaking, evaluates the neuropsychological functioning of the individual. But what does this operation entail? Actually, refers to the brain’s ability to process, interpret and manage information coming from outside and received through the senses.
Specifically, the battery is primarily used to evaluate people with some type of brain damage (or suspicion of it). Additionally, it provides useful information regarding the possible cause of the damage.
In addition to this information, information related to the severity of the impairment, and “strong” or intact brain areas or functions, may be useful in designing appropriate cognitive neurorehabilitation plans for each patient.
