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Research Article  |   June 1995
Validity of the Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT): Relationships With Functional Tasks
Adina Hartman-Maeir; Noomi Katz
Author Affiliations
  • Adina Hartman-Maeir, MSC, OTR, is Adjunct Faculty and Researcher, School of Occupational Therapy, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Mount Scopus, POB 24026, Jerusalem 91240, Israel
  • Noomi Katz, PhD, OTR, is Associate Professor, School of Occupational Therapy, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
Article Information
Assessment Development and Testing / Neurologic Conditions / Stroke / Special Issue on Stroke
Research Article   |   June 1995
Validity of the Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT): Relationships With Functional Tasks
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, June 1995, Vol. 49, 507-516. doi:10.5014/ajot.49.6.507
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, June 1995, Vol. 49, 507-516. doi:10.5014/ajot.49.6.507
Abstract

Objectives. The Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT) is a standardized assessment for unilateral visual neglect. It comprises six conventional and nine behavioral subtests. The purpose of this study was to add to the validation of the behavioral subtests.

Method. Forty Israeli subjects with right cerebrovascular accident (CVA), from both day center and hospital settings, were evaluated on three measures: the BIT, performance tasks, and a checklist of activities of daily living (ADL).

Results. Seven of the nine BIT behavioral subtests differentiated significantly between subjects with visual neglect and those without neglect; six of the nine subtests correlated significantly with parallel performance tasks or ADL checklist items.

Conclusion. These results support the construct and predictive validity of most of the BIT behavioral subtests as functional measures of unilateral neglect, thus, the BIT is recommended for use by occupational therapists. Inclusion of a relative score for right and left omissions within the BIT is recommended.