Assessing comprehension and production of verbs and sentences: The Verb and Sentence Test (VAST)

Background: In this paper we present a new aphasia test for the assessment of comprehension and production of verbs and sentences, the Verb and Sentence Test (VAST). A description is given of selected theories underlying the construction of the test, the diagnostic properties, and how results from the test can be used to motivate therapy. Methods & procedures: Information about the construction and standardisation of the VAST is provided. Justification for item selection and results obtained from 80 non-aphasic and 25 aphasic subjects are described. Details are given of the discriminative power of each task, and validity and reliability are discussed. Results: Data from the subjects demonstrate that the VAST effectively discriminates between the aphasic and non-aphasic population and between different types of verb and sentence deficits. Case studies are given to illustrate these points. Conclusions: The VAST provides a reliable research and clinical tool for the assessment of comprehension and production of verbs and sentences, and gives clear directions for treatment.