Background and Purpose: The Dichotic Verbal Memory Test (DVMT) is useful in detecting verbal memory deficits
and differences in memory function between the brain hemispheres. The purpose of this
study was to prepare the Persian version of DVMT, to obtain its results in 18- to
25-yr-old Iranian individuals, and to examine the ear, gender, and serial position
effect.
Research Design: The Persian version of DVMT consisted of 18 10-word lists. After preparing the 18
lists, content validity was assessed by a panel of eight experts and the equivalency
of the lists was evaluated. Then the words were recorded on CD in a dichotic mode
such that 10 words were presented to one ear, with the same words reversed simultaneously
presented to the other ear. Thereafter, it was performed on a sample of young, normal,
Iranian individuals.
Study Sample: Thirty normal individuals (no history of neurological, ontological, or psychological
diseases) with ages ranging from 18 to 25 yr were examined for evaluating the equivalency
of the lists, and 110 subjects within the same age range participated in the final
stage of the study to obtain the normative data on the developed test.
Results: There was no significant difference between the mean scores of the 18 developed lists
(p > 0.05). The mean content validity index (CVI) score was .96. A significant difference
was found between the mean score of the two ears (p < 0.05) and between female and male participants (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The Persian version of DVMT has good content validity and can be used for verbal
memory assessment in Iranian young adults.
Key Words
Dichotic listening - short term memory - verbal memory
