Linking AM-PAC Cognition to PROMIS Cognitive Function.
Anne Thackeray, Robin L Marcus, Lan Yu and 3 others
PMID 34048793WHAT IT FOUND
The AM-PAC and PROMIS cognitive tests measure the same underlying ability.
A new crosswalk allows clinicians to convert scores between them. This enables tracking of patient progress even when switching from one tool to the other or comparing data across different clinics.
Key findings
01The AM-PAC Cognition items were successfully calibrated to the PROMIS Cognitive Function metric, allowing for score conversion.
02High discrimination parameters indicate that both scales measure the same latent construct of cognition.
03The PROMIS 4-item short form did not achieve reliable measurement across the full range of cognitive severity.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study used a single-group design, which is robust for linking but does not test the tools against a gold-standard clinical diagnosis. The sample was limited to English speakers in outpatient rehabilitation, so the results may not apply to non-English speakers or inpatient populations. There were significant ceiling effects, meaning the tools were less precise for patients with very mild or no cognitive impairment. The crosswalk may be sensitive to population differences; scores might not convert accurately if the patient population changes significantly.
Declared interests
The study was approved as a Quality Improvement project (UPMC QI 1548). No specific funding sources or author conflicts of interest were detailed in the provided text beyond NIH and non-US government support.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume the PROMIS 4-item short form is a reliable substitute for the longer forms. The study found it did not achieve 90% reliability, so using it alone may miss significant cognitive deficits or overestimate function in patients with moderate impairment.