Reliable change indices for the cognitive section of Portuguese version of the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS screen (ECAS).

Abstract

This study aimed to derive standardized regression-based (SRB) reliable change indices (RCIs) for the cognitive section of the Portuguese Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioral ALS Screen (ECAS-C). Forty-nine MND patients undergoing the ECAS were followed-up (T1) at 7.2 ± 2 months (range = 5-12). RCIs were derived via an SRB approach by accounting for demographic, motor-functional and test-related variables. Practice effects were detected as to Total and Memory measures; all ECAS-C measures proved to be reliable at retest. Baseline ECAS-C measures predicted their follow-up performances. SRB RCIs herewith delivered will help assess MND patients' cognition over time, although they would benefit from further validation in independent cohorts.