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.