Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills
Published on: April 23, 2014
Exploratory anchor-based analyses to determine minimal clinically important differences for the Brief Assessment of
Hans S Klein1, Reuben H Fan1, Tingting Ge1
1Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA.
Background:
The Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) and Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale (SCoRS) tests help to assess cognition in schizophrenia; however, anchor-based determinations of meaningful change are needed. This analysis derived minimal clinically important difference (MCID) estimates using data from INTERACT, a phase 2 randomized study of luvadaxistat as treatment of negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
Methods:
Blinded retrospective analysis of a subsample selected for cognitive impairment (baseline BACS composite score: 10-40). MCID ranges were estimated via anchor-based analyses using the SCoRS interviewer change rating (overall impression of global cognitive change) to group the subsample (n = 140) into observable interviewer-rated improvement (n = 81) and no observable interviewer-rated change (n = 59). Distribution analyses evaluated effect-size cutoffs. MCID thresholds were tested for treatment sensitivity across INTERACT arms.
Results:
Baseline BACS composite score and SCoRS interviewer total score were comparable between subgroups. At end of treatment, the difference between subgroups in change from baseline in BACS composite score and SCoRS interviewer total score was 2.08 (P = 0.060) and 3.16 (P < 0.001), respectively, both directionally toward the improvement subgroup. Distribution analyses using a moderate effect-size cutoff (standard deviation: 0.5) indicated 3.98-point and 5.21-point subgroup differences for BACS and SCoRS, respectively, to be potentially significant. A 4-point MCID threshold was considered most sensitive to study treatment.
Conclusion:
Results suggest that a 2- to 4-point difference in BACS composite score and a 3- to 5-point difference in SCoRS interviewer total score may be clinically meaningful in cognitive impairment in schizophrenia.
