Comparison of "Word" vs. "Picture" Version of the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) in Older Adults.

Background: This study examined the psychometric relationship between the Word and Picture versions of the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) and developed an equation for score conversion.

Methods: 187 participants were administered the FCSRT-Picture and FCSRT-Word on two visits using a randomized counterbalanced design.

Results: Participants had a mean age of 82.1 (sd=5.4) and mean education of 14.5 (sd=3.3) years. Mean FCSRT-Picture Free Recall score (mean 33.0, range: 17-44) was 7.9 points higher than the Word score (mean 25.1, range: 3-43). The Picture and Word FCSRT correlations for Free Recall and Total Recall were r=0.56, p<0.01 and r=0.46, p<0.01, respectively.

Conclusions: The Picture and Word versions of the FCSRT were moderately associated in a sample of cognitively normal older adults. The score mean differences and variability between FCSRT-Picture and FCSRT-Word indicate that their scores should not be considered equivalent.