Rating scale analysis of the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination

Objective: Evaluate the measurement properties of the Neurobehavioral Cogni tive Status Examination (NCSE) using rating scale analysis. Design: Calibra tion of item responses collected as part of a study examining characteristi cs of case-management programs and treatment outcomes. Setting: Three outpa tient rehabilitation facilities. Participants: Convenience sample of 186 co mmunity-dwelling adults with TBI. Results: Several rating scale analyses we re performed to construct a unidimensional measure. Deletion of easy and mi sfitting 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 distribu tion. Recommended applications are with samples with considerably more cogn itive impairment.