Rating scale analysis of the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluate the measurement properties of the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination (NCSE) using rating scale analysis.


METHODS
Calibration of item responses collected as part of a study examining characteristics of case-management programs and treatment outcomes.


METHODS
Three outpatient rehabilitation facilities.


METHODS
Convenience sample of 186 community-dwelling adults with TBI.


RESULTS
Several rating scale analyses were performed to construct a unidimensional measure. Deletion of easy and misfitting items created a better targeted test (generated more spread among individuals) without increased error.


CONCLUSIONS
If used with a community-based sample, three strata can be differentiated despite a skewed distribution. Recommended applications are with samples with considerably more cognitive impairment.
Doninger
N A
NA
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
Bode
R K
RK
Heinemann
A W
AW
Ambrose
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010045:Outpatients; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity