Development of a structured interview to accompany the minimal record

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Clinical Assessment

Background:

• Standardization of disability assessment in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is crucial for reliable data.
• Existing functional assessment tools lacked comprehensive coverage for MS-specific disability metrics.
• The Minimal Record of Disability in MS (MRD) requires standardized data collection for its Impairment, Incapacity, and Environmental Status (ISS) sections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a Structured Interview (SI) to standardize data collection for the MRD.
• To focus the SI on Incapacity and Environmental Status, complementing the neurological examination for Impairment.
• To refine the SI based on practical application during MRD field trials.

Main Methods:

• Development of the SI by reviewing existing functional assessment instruments.
• Construction of interview questions aligned with MRD's Incapacity and Environmental Status items.
• Piloting and revision of the SI with MS patients.
• Utilization of the SI during MRD field trials in the U.S. and Canada.
• Extensive revision of the SI based on field trial experiences.

Main Results:

• The SI facilitated standardized data gathering for the MRD.
• Field trials provided valuable feedback for SI refinement.
• Revisions incorporated new MRD items, clarified wording, and simplified the interview format.
• The revised SI improved the reliability of Incapacity and Environmental Status assessments.

Conclusions:

• The Structured Interview is an effective tool for standardizing disability assessment in MS.
• The revised SI enhances the quality and consistency of data collected for the MRD.
• This standardized approach supports more accurate evaluation of MS-related disability.