Cognitive communication disorders after brain injury: A systematic COSMIN review of measurement instruments

Abstract

Background

There is a lack of consensus on standardized measurement instruments (MIs) for the assessment of cognitive communication disorders in individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI).

Objectives

To identify and describe the currently available MIs for the assessment of cognitive communication disorders in individuals with ABI and to evaluate the psychometric properties of MIs.

Methods

A search was conducted in 6 databases on March 12, 2024 using a validated methodological search filter. We included studies that evaluated psychometric properties of MIs used to assess cognitive communication disorders in individuals with ABI. We applied the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) to evaluate the psychometric properties of the MIs.

Results

We included 48 records reporting on 44 MIs. Of all MIs, the La Trobe Communication Questionnaire (LCQ) and the St Andrew's-Swansea Neurobehavioural Outcome Scale (SASNOS) were studied most extensively. No MIs had undergone exhaustive methodological evaluation.

Conclusions

Based on the COSMIN, only 1 of 44 MIs can be recommended as its results can be trusted. Most MIs have the potential to be recommended but require further research to assess their psychometric quality. The development of new tools is not necessary but further methodological studies should be conducted on promising tools. This review may help clinicians and researchers to select an MI for the assessment of cognitive communication disorders and may facilitate diagnosis and research.

Trial registration: PROSPERO database (registration number: CRD42020196861). No funding.