The Frenchay Aphasia Screening Test: a short, simple test for aphasia appropriate for non-specialists

TLDR

An abnormal result needs to be interpreted in the light of all available clinical information. The test is designed to quickly identify patients with linguistic disturbance, enabling general practitioners and other non‑specialists to screen for aphasia. The authors developed a 3–10 minute screening test for aphasia that can be administered by general practitioners, junior medical staff, and other non‑specialists. Data show the test is reliable and valid, with high sensitivity using cut‑off values from normal controls but limited specificity due to factors such as hemianopia; specificity improves when cut‑offs are derived from known aphasia patients.

Abstract

This paper describes preliminary studies on a screening test for aphasia which takes 3-10 minutes to complete and which is suitable for use by general practitioners, junior medical staff and other non-specialists. Data are presented to show that it is a reliable, valid assessment. Using cut-off values derived from normal people, the test is sensitive, but its specificity is limited by such associated factors as hemianopia. Using cut-off values derived from patients known to have aphasia, its specificity is improved. An abnormal result needs to be interpreted in the light of all available clinical information. The test should help identify patients with linguistic disturbance.