Validation of the International Reading Speed Texts in a Sample of Older (60+) Canadian Adults

SIGNIFICANCE On average, older adults (60+) with normal vision read the International Reading Speed Texts (IReST) 37.8 words per minute slower than the standardized values provided by the IReST manufacturer. When assessing reading speed in older adults, clinicians should bear in mind that the IReST norms do not account for these age-related differences. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to validate the IReST in an English-speaking Canadian sample of older adults (60+). METHODS Canadian English-speaking older adults (n = 25) read all 10 IReST aloud using the same protocol from the original IReST validation study. RESULTS There were significant differences between the older adult sample and the published IReST values for each text (mean difference, -37.84; 95% confidence interval, -41.34 to -34.34). CONCLUSIONS Reading speeds of older (60+) Canadian adults fell outside of the standardized values of the English language IReST. Researchers/clinicians who wish to assess older adults' reading speed using the IReST ought to take this discrepancy into account.

Automated summary

The study validated that older Canadian adults (60+) read the IReST texts significantly slower than the standardized values, suggesting that clinicians and researchers should be aware of age-related differences when using the IReST for assessing reading speed in older adults.