Abstract

Objective

Recent debate regarding the use of race-adjusted normative data (RAND) in the neuropsychological evaluation of former National Football League (NFL) players has sparked intrigue. This pilot study explored the use of RAND in a community-based sample of cognitively normal Black and White NFL retirees.

Methods

Cognitively normal Black (n = 20) and White (n = 20) NFL retirees were selected to be similar in age and education from a larger community sample of retired athletes. All participants underwent consensus neurological diagnosis and standard tests of memory, executive functioning, and language. Five tests utilized Heaton RAND (TMT A and B; FAS, Animal fluency, BNT) and four used age-and education- adjusted manual norms (RCFT, CVLT-II, WAIS-IV Coding and Digit Span). Independent samples t-tests compared raw and normative scores between Black and White retirees. ANCOVA was also used that included estimated IQ and head-injury exposure.

Results

Raw score differences (p < 0.01) were observed between Black and White retirees on 3/9 tests (TMT B, BNT, Coding). No significant differences were noted between groups on TMT B and the BNT using Heaton RAND, and differences on TMT B and Coding were no longer significant after controlling for IQ. Head-injury exposure did not affect findings.

Conclusions

The use of RAND raises complex issues. In this pilot sample of Black and White NFL retirees of similar age and education, few differences were seen, and these were largely attenuated using specialized norms and/or adjustment for estimated global cognitive ability. Potential demographic and environmental influences on test scores require examination in similar populations.

中文翻译：

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A-05前NFL球员经过种族调整的规范数据的探索性研究

摘要

客观的

最近有关在前国家橄榄球联盟（NFL）运动员的神经心理评估中使用种族调整后的规范数据（RAND）的争论引起了人们的兴趣。这项前瞻性研究探索了在基于社区的正常黑人和白人NFL退休人员样本中使用RAND的方法。

方法

从较大的社区退休运动员样本中，认知正常的黑人（n = 20）和白人（n = 20）NFL退休人员的年龄和文化程度相似。所有参与者均接受了共识性神经学诊断，并对记忆，执行功能和语言进行了标准测试。五个测试使用Heaton RAND（TMT A和B； FAS，动物流利性，BNT），另外四个使用年龄和教育程度调整的手动规范（RCFT，CVLT-II，WAIS-IV编码和数字跨度）。独立样本t检验比较了黑人和白人退休人员的原始分数和规范分数。还使用了ANCOVA，其中包括估计的智商和头部受伤暴露。

结果

在3/9的测试（TMT B，BNT，编码）上，黑人和白人退休人员之间观察到原始分数差异（p <0.01）。使用Heaton RAND，TMT B和BNT组之间没有显着差异，并且控制智商后，TMT B和编码方面的差异不再显着。头部受伤暴露并未影响发现。

结论

使用RAND会引起复杂的问题。在这个年龄和文化程度相近的黑人和白人NFL退休人员的试点样本中，几乎看不到差异，并且使用专门的规范和/或调整估计的全球认知能力，这些差异在很大程度上被减弱了。人口统计学和环境因素对测验成绩的潜在影响需要在相似的人群中进行检查。