Identifying Retrieval Problems Using the California Verbal Learning Test

Wilde, Boake, and Sherer (1995) examined the discrepancy between Long Delayed Free Recall (LDFR) and Recognition Discriminability (RD) - the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) index thought to indicate the presence of memory retrieval problems - and found little evidence to recommend its use in traumatic brain injury (TBI). The present investigation re-examined this index from the perspective of a continuum of retrieval deficit severity. CVLT performance was examined in 122 TBI patients, and 2 retrieval deficit indicators of varying severity were evaluated. Memory-impaired control groups were matched with retrieval deficit groups on initial acquisition and demographic characteristics. Individuals with a LDFR/RD discrepancy did not show predicted differences on other CVLT indices of retrieval problems, similar to the findings of Wilde et al. (1995). In contrast, individuals with a consistent discrepancy between free recall and semantic cued recall (Short and Long Delay) had greater improvement with rec...