Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct item reduction of the Memory Assessment Clinics Self-Rating Scale (MAC-S) to create a briefer measure that can be used to quickly evaluate subjective memory complaints in patients with epilepsy. Method: A total of 1333 adults with focal epilepsy completed the original 49-item MAC-S. The sample was randomly split into three subsamples, and a series of analyses (i.e. exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and item response theory analyses) was conducted to identify an alternative factor structure, with a reduced number of items. A panel of 5 neuropsychologists independently reviewed the final model to assess appropriateness of each individual item as well as the factor loadings and overall factor structure. Final factor titles were subsequently decided as a group. Results: Five factors were identified: Attention, Working Memory, Retrieval, Semantic Memory, and Episodic Memory. The length of the MAC-S was reduced from 49 to 30 items, with items being removed because they failed to load onto any of the factors substantially, or because of poor item discrimination or threshold levels. Conclusions: The Memory Assessment Clinics Scale for Epilepsy (MAC-E), is an updated, brief measure of subjective memory functioning that can be used to efficiently assess relevant, every-day memory abilities in patients with epilepsy within both clinical and research settings.

摘要

目的：本研究的目的是对记忆评估诊所自评量表 (MAC-S) 进行项目缩减，以创建一个更简短的测量方法，可用于快速评估癫痫患者的主观记忆抱怨。方法：共有 1333 名患有局灶性癫痫的成年人完成了最初的 49 项 MAC-S。样本被随机分成三个子样本，并进行了一系列分析（即探索性因素分析、验证性因素分析和项目响应理论分析）以确定替代因素结构，减少项目数。一个由 5 名神经心理学家组成的小组独立审查了最终模型，以评估每个单独项目的适当性以及因素负荷和整体因素结构。最终因素的标题随后被决定为一个组。结果：确定了五个因素：注意力、工作记忆、检索、语义记忆和情景记忆。MAC-S 的长度从 49 个项目减少到 30 个项目，其中项目被删除，因为它们未能充分加载到任何因素上，或者因为项目辨别力或阈值水平差。结论：癫痫记忆评估临床量表 (MAC-E) 是一种更新的、简短的主观记忆功能测量方法，可用于在临床和研究环境中有效评估癫痫患者的相关日常记忆能力。