Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Screen in Norway: A Prospective Cohort Study

Haukeland University Hospital

Status: Active, not recruiting

Conditions: Cognitive Impairment; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Treatments: Other: Questionnaire; Diagnostic Test: CDR; Diagnostic Test: MoCA; Diagnostic Test: ECAS-N

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03578796

2016/2187-1

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study evaluate use of a translated Norwegian version of the Edinburgh cognitive and behavioral amyotrophic lateral sclerosis screen (ECAS-N) as an early predictor in car-driving, working and use of advanced life-prolonging therapy.

Full description

Cognitive impairment is present in about 30-50% of the patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Screening of cognitive and behavioral impairment is a distinct recommendation in ALS-specific health care. However, knowledge in how cognitive impairment shall influence health-care professionals' information given to patients and in decision making is lacking.

One of the major challenges in ALS management is the decision-making on advanced therapy. There is a lack of knowledge in how cognitive impairment in ALS shall be interfere on complex medical treatment that will affect quality of life or life itself. This means significant implications not only to the ALS patient and the community, but also the family and especially the spouse. Thus, further investigation of the ECAS-N and its potential in clinical use is needed. The scale may contribute a more proactive treatment better tailored to individual needs. The objective is to evaluate if the ECAS-N can be applied as an early predictor in car-driving, working and use of advanced life-prolonging therapy

Enrollment: 31 patients

Sex: All

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Voluntary informed consent
• Native Norwegian speaker

Exclusion criteria

• Great difficulties in writing or reading
• Comorbid medical history
• Neurological disorders others than ALS
• Psychiatric history of importance to cognitive function

Trial design

31 participants in 1 patient group

Persons with ALS

Description:

Persons With possible ALS-specific cognitive impairment will be tested With ECAS-N, MoCA, CDR and a questionnaire at 4 months (baseline) and 8 months (1. follow-up). Further evaluation will be with the questionnaire and CDR at each follow-up until 3 years or use of permanent ventilation support or Death. Information about use of advanced life-prolonging therapy will be collected from patient journal.

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: CDR

Diagnostic Test: MoCA

Diagnostic Test: ECAS-N

Other: Questionnaire