Rapid cognitive screening in multiple sclerosis accomplished by the Free Recall and Recognition Test.
This study sought to investigate the feasibility of the Free Recall and Recognition Test (FRRT) as a practical screening tool for cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS). Persons with MS (n = 227) were consecutively recruited and assessed with four cognitive tests; FRRT, Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Disease severity was assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). The FRRT, which was completed by 99% of the cohort in approximately 5 minutes per assessment, correlated significantly with the other cognitive tests, as well as with the disease severity rating. A cut-off of 4 for the FRRT recall rendered 90% sensitivity and 25% specificity, and a cut-off of 4.2 for the FRRT recognition resulted in 70% sensitivity and 51% specificity. We conclude that the FRRT proved feasible as a practical screening tool for cognitive impairment in MS within a clinical setting.
Claesson
I M
IM
Department of Physical Therapy, Karolinska University Hospital, S-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden. ingrid.claesson@karolinska.se
Ytterberg
C
C
Johansson
S
S
Almkvist
O
O
von Koch
L
L
D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000592:standards*; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity