Reliability and validity of the brief dimensional apathy scale

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Psychiatry
• Clinical Assessment

Background:

• Apathy presents with diverse demotivational subtypes.
• The Dimensional Apathy Scale (DAS) measures these subtypes.
• The brief DAS (b-DAS) offers a rapid assessment tool.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the reliability and validity of the brief DAS (b-DAS).
• To confirm b-DAS as a tool for apathy subtype assessment.

Main Methods:

• 53 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and informants participated.
• Informants completed b-DAS, original DAS, and behavioral interviews.
• Patients underwent assessments for depression, anxiety, cognition, and disability.

Main Results:

• b-DAS demonstrated good internal consistency and excellent test-retest reliability.
• A significant positive correlation was found between b-DAS and original DAS.
• b-DAS scores did not correlate with depression, anxiety, cognitive, or functional measures.
• Apathy/inertia correlated with b-DAS subscales; loss of sympathy/empathy correlated with emotional apathy scores.

Conclusions:

• The b-DAS is a fast, reliable, and valid instrument.
• It effectively screens apathy subtypes.
• Its utility is independent of physical disability in ALS patients.