Is the ACE-III an effective cognitive screening tool for service users with acquired brain injuries? A descriptive service evaluation comparing cognitive results in CABIS.

BACKGROUND: The Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III is a cognitive screen developed for early detection of dementia and is also used to detect mild cognitive impairments. METHODS: This service evaluation aimed to explore whether the ACE-III is associated with cognitive domains identified from more detailed assessment in acquired brain injury (ABI), and therefore a clinically useful screening tool, for service users in the Community Acquired Brain Injury Service (CABIS). A sample of 20 CABIS service users were deemed eligible for this service evaluation. Correlations and weighted linear regressions were conducted. RESULTS: Pearson and Spearman Rank correlations and weighted linear regressions identified significant associations between certain cognitive domains in the ACE-III and the WAIS-IV. A significant positive correlation of moderate strength was found for Attention × Working Memory, Spearman's ρ(16)=0.52, p=.028. Weighted linear regressions were found to be significant for Attention × Working Memory (F=4.60, p=.048, R2=0.22); Visuospatial × Perceptual Reasoning (F=27.17, p<.001, R2=0.66); and Total Score × Full Scale (F=5.76, p=.032, R2=0.31). CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals practical applications for the service in which the evaluation was conducted, in that the ACE-III may be considered a clinically useful tool to indicate trends of cognitive functioning for people with ABI. Future research should aim to replicate these findings in a larger sample, using true experimental designs.