The Adult Memory and Information Processing Battery (AMIPB) test of information-processing speed: a study of its reliability and feasibility in patients with multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate how useful the Adult Memory and Information Processing Battery Task A (AMIPB) is as a test of the speed of information processing in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) by comparing various methods of presenting the test and assessing the reliability (test-retest and inter-rater) and utility of each version.


METHODS
Each patient was assessed twice verbally by the same assessor 1-2 weeks apart. Then 1-2 weeks later half were assessed by another observer, and half were assessed by the first observer using a written method.


METHODS
A specialist young disabled unit.


METHODS
Thirty-three patients with MS.


METHODS
The AMIPB, the Short Memory-Orientation-Concentration Test (SOMC) and the Barthel ADL Index.


RESULTS
The average (SD) number of correct responses after 4 min was 23.3 (18.6), median 21. The test-retest reliability (n = 24) of the 4-min AMIPB was high (r = 0.98) and the difference of the score ranged from -7 to 9: median 3, mean (SD) 1.88 (4.01) and interquartile range 0 to 3.25. The inter-observer reliability (n = 12) of the 4-min AMIPB was also high (r = 0.97) and the mean (SD) differences between scores were 4.3 (5.8), median 4, range +19 to -2. The score at 60 seconds and the score at 240 seconds were highly correlated (r = 0.98). The scores obtained verbally and by writing were closely correlated (r = 0.99).


CONCLUSIONS
The AMIPB used over 120 seconds with verbal responses is a reliable and reasonable test for major information-processing deficits.
Vlaar
A M M
AM
Oxford Centre for Enablement, Windmill Road, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK.
Wade
D T
DT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008606:Mental Processes; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results