Reliable change indices for the Italian Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioral ALS Screen (ECAS)

This study aimed at providing standardized regression-based (SRB) reliable change indices (RCIs) for the Italian Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioral ALS Screen (ECAS). Thirty-one consecutive ALS patients undergoing the ECAS were followed-up (T1) at 6.5 ± 1 months (range = 5-8). Ceiling/floor effects, practice effect, and test-retest reliability were assessed. Each ECAS measure was regressed by stepwise-entering as predictors demographics, respective T0 scores, T0 disease duration and ALSFRS-R, retest interval, and progression rate (ΔFS) - i.e., (48 - ALSFRS-R_T0)/disease duration_T0 in months. Ceiling effects were infrequently detected, no practice effect emerged and all ECAS measures were reliable at retest (except for Language and Visuo-spatial subscales). T0 scores predicted all ECAS measures except for the Visuo-spatial subscale. The availability of RCIs for the Italian ECAS will aid ALS-related clinical practice and research within the longitudinal dimension.