Validation of a Nonverbal Version of the Questionnaire of Experienced Attention Deficits (FEDA)

Abstract

Abstract: Although objective attention deficits have been well established in aphasia patients, there is little evidence of subjective attention deficits since these are mostly assessed with rating scales and questionnaires that are often confounded by the language deficits of aphasic patients. To overcome this limitation, we developed a nonverbal version of the Questionnaire of Experienced Attention Deficits (FEDA) and assessed its preliminary reliability and validity in 70 healthy controls and 18 aphasia patients. An exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factorial structure with good model fit in confirmatory factor analysis as well as good internal consistency (ω = .89) and discriminant validity. We consider the NFEDA to be a valuable diagnostic tool to assess subjective attention deficits in patients with language impairments such as aphasia.