Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-revised: normalization and standardization for Spanish population

Introduction. The Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-revised (HVLT-R) was originally created with the objective of providing a short verbal memory and learning test with six alternative forms that allow the re-administration. Aim. To obtain normative and standardized data for the HVLT-R taking into account the sociodemographic characteristics of the current Spanish population. Subjects and methods. The study is part of the Normacog Project. Seven hundred participants (18 to 90 years old) were assessed. The effect of age, level of education and gender on the performance of HVLT-R were analyzed, and percentiles and scalar scores adjusted by age and level of education were created. Results. A significant effect of age and educational level on the analyzed variables of the test was observed, explaining from 15% to 29% of the variance (trial 1, total recall, trial 4, discrimination index). As expected, the older and less educated obtained lower performance in all the analyzed variables of the HVLT-R. However, sex only had a significant effect on the variables trial 1, total recall and discrimination index. Conclusion. This study provides standardized and normalized data for the HVLT-R for the Spanish population, offering current norms to clinicians and researchers. The results confirm the influence of age and level of education on all the indicators of the test, so normative data are provided to correct the HVLT-R taking into account these characteristics.