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Need for and challenges facing functional communication as outcome parameter in AD clinical trials
Julia Haberstroh1, Patricia Wollstadt, Maren Knebel
1*Interdisciplinary Ageing Research, Faculty of Educational Sciences, Goethe University †Institute of General Practice, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt ‡Department of Psychiatry, Section of Geriatric Psychiatry, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders
|June 12, 2013
Summary
Functional communication is crucial for Alzheimer disease (AD) clinical trials. Current scales show limitations, necessitating the development of a more reliable and valid measure for AD assessment.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Trials
- Communication Sciences
Background:
- Functional communication is a critical outcome in Alzheimer disease (AD) research.
- Existing AD clinical trials have utilized various scales to measure communication.
- The psychometric properties of these scales require critical evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of functional communication in AD clinical trials.
- To review and assess existing functional communication measures used in AD studies.
- To propose directions for developing a valid and reliable functional communication scale for AD.
Main Methods:
- Systematic identification of studies reporting functional communication outcomes in AD trials.
- Critical review of scales used, focusing on information sources, characteristics, and psychometric data.
- Evaluation of the extent to which current measures assess functional communication.
Main Results:
- Six identified papers utilized six different scales for functional communication and related concepts.
- All reviewed scales demonstrated questionable psychometric properties.
- Despite limitations, existing scales offer a foundation for developing improved measures.
Conclusions:
- Current functional communication scales in AD trials have psychometric limitations.
- There is a need for a valid and reliable functional communication scale tailored for AD clinical trials.
- Combining advantages of existing scales can guide future development efforts.
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