Development, psychometric properties, and pilot norms of the first Arabic indigenous memory test: The Verbal Memory Arabic Test (VMAT)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Tests of verbal memory (list learning) are particularly useful for clinicians and researchers globally, yet there are no psychometrically robust tests that are built indigenously for Arabic-speaking populations, which comprise more than 370 million. OBJECTIVE: To develop a verbal memory Arabic test using a systematic procedure of item selection and then provide evidence of validity and reliability in an Arabic-speaking sample in Lebanon. METHOD: In study 1, we conducted a word prototypicality study (n = 77), and identified 932 words across 7 semantic categories. Following quantitative analyzes and qualitative judgments by an expert panel, we selected a sufficient number of words and categories, and constructed and piloted the items, instructions, and protocol for the Verbal Memory Arabic Test (VMAT). In study 2, we administered the VMAT on a community sample (n = 199; screened for depression and cognitive impairment) and patients with Multiple Sclerosis (n = 16). RESULTS: : The VMAT is the first Arabic test developed indigenously. It can be used in clinical and research settings with Arabic-speaking populations to assess verbal learning.

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