Behavioural Inattention Test
BIT
Predict everyday problems associated with unilateral neglect- Publication date:
- 1987
- Completion time:
- 40 minutes
- Administration:
- Individual; Manual scoring
- Age range:
- 19 to 83 years
- Qualification level:
- B
Traditional procedures for assessing unilateral visual neglect (UVN) have tended to concentrate on tests that provide information about the presence of UVN rather than increase our understanding of difficulties people with this condition encounter in their daily lives.
The BIT was developed to respond to the ecological needs of this group of people.
It is an objective behavioural test of everyday skills relevant to visual neglect, aimed at increasing our understanding of specific difficulties patients' experience.
There are two parallel versions of the BIT, each comprising six ‘conventional’ subtests and nine behavioural subtests.
The BIT fulfills the practical requirements of a psychological test: it is short, easy to understand and interpret.
It is also applicable to a wide range of environmental settings.
Validation
The BIT has been validated against conventional tests of neglect and therapists’ reports.
The relationship between scores on the behavioural sub tests and scores on the conventional sub tests was established for the 80 patients - correlation 0.92 (p< 0.0001).
The behavioural sub test scores for each patient were compared with the responses to a short questionnaire completed by the relevant therapist at the time of assessment giving a correlation of 0.67 (p< 0.001).
As well as being a valid test of neglect the BIT has excellent interrater, test-retest, and alternate form reliability.
