Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery: what is it and how is it used?

A set of tests that explore the functioning of the subject's brain to detect abnormalities.

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 get to know the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery (HRNTB)a tool of the American current. We will explain its most important characteristics 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 current. Unlike the European trend (with the Luria Battery as a typical test), which focuses on a qualitative assessment, the American trend focuses on a quantitative assessment.

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 of them allow to determine quite accurately the location of the damage in case it exists.

What does it evaluate?

The Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery is applied to subjects over 15 years of ageIt is used to detect neurological and psychiatric disorders, based on the evaluation of a Wide range of neuropsychological functions.

It allows the analysis of the individual's verbal, manipulative, sequential and spatial skills, among others.. The results obtained from it also allow us to differentiate between brain-damaged and healthy subjects.

On the other hand, the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery includes an Impairment Index that includes the first 5 tests (categories, tactile execution, rhythm, sound perception and tapping), which we will see below. If the subject scores less than 0.4, it is considered indicative of brain injury.

Tests that are 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 of the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery examines the subject's ability to establish general principles based on the experience from the experience provided by relevant information.

2. Tactile performance test

This test explores the subject's speed and motor coordination.. In this test, 10 different figures are superimposed (each one in a hole).

The task consists of inserting each figure into the corresponding hole or gap, blindfolded. First, the examinee must perform the task using his "preferred" hand, and then the other hand. Finally, he/she uses both.

3. Seashore rhythm test

The Seashore test evaluates nonverbal auditory perception, sustained attention and concentration.. These functions are impaired in certain brain lesions.

The test consists of 30 sounds, each consisting of 2 rhythmic patterns. The subject's task is to indicate, for each item, whether the patterns are the same or different from each other. The scoring of this test is based on the number of errors made during its application.

4. Test of perception of sounds (or nonsense words)

The fourth test evaluates audio-verbal perception and attention.. It is composed of 6 parts; each one is made up of 10 items. In each item, the examinee listens through a tape recorder to a nonsense word; he/she must recognize it among the 4 words that make up each item (they are presented in written form to the subject).

5. Tapping test

Evaluates speed and motor coordination in the right and left hand.. In other words, it is a test of motor speed. The subject must use his index finger to press a lever connected to a manual counter.

6. Indiana-Reitan aphasia test

This test is indicated to evaluate expressive or receptive language disorders, deficits in the processes of reading and writing, and numerical calculation.. It consists of 42 items.

7. Sensory-perceptual test

The seventh test of the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery. evaluates tactile perception by means of 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 fingertips and tactile recognition of shapes such as a square, a cross or a triangle.

8. Lateral dominance

Evaluates the lateral dominance of the hand, foot and eye (which are dominant). (which are dominant). It also analyzes the capabilities of the non-dominant hand.

9. Tracing test

The last test of the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery assesses number and letter comprehension ability, as well as scanning ability (on a sheet of paper), processing speed and cognitive flexibility.

It consists of two parts, A and B. Part A consists of 25 circles distributed on a sheet of paper, 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 also, this time containing numbers and letters. The goal is to alternate the letters and numbers in numerical and alphabetical order (i.e. A1, B2, C3,...), until all the circles are joined.

Neuropsychological functioning

As we have seen, the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery, broadly speaking, assesses the neuropsychological functioning of the individual. But what does such functioning entail? In fact, it refers to the brain's it refers to the brain's ability to process, interpret and manage information from outside and received from the outside and received through the senses.

Specifically, the battery is mainly used to evaluate people with some type of brain damage (or suspected brain damage). It also provides useful information regarding the possible cause of the damage.

In addition to this information, information related to the severity of the impairment, and to the "strong" or intact brain areas or functions, may be useful in designing appropriate cognitive neurorehabilitation plans for each patient.

Bibliographical references:

• Avila, A. (1997). Evaluation in Clinical Psychology I and II. Ed. Amarú. Salamanca.
• Bausela, E. (2008). Neuropsychological assessment in adult population: domains, instruments and neuropsychological batteries. Reflexiones, 87(2): 163-174.
• Cohen, R.J., Swerdlik, M.E. (2002) Psychological testing and assessment. McGraw-Hill. Madrid.