Validation Study of the EMAS: A Brief Screening Tool for Motor Changes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Validation Study of The Edinburgh Motor Assessment Scale: A Brief Screening Tool for Motor Changes in Patients Presenting with Cognitive Complaints
IRAS ID
171132
Contact name
Thomas Bak
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Unversity of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 15 days
Research summary
Changes in the motor system (such as problems in walking, balance, eye movements or speech) can provide vital clues to the underlying diagnoses in people presenting with cognitive and/or behavioural complaints (e.g. memory problems or personality changes). Routine neurological examination of the motor system is often perceived by clinicians (especially non-neurologists) as time-consuming and daunting. While a number of brief bed-side tests screen for changes of cognition, there are no similar tests to allow screening for changes in motor function.
We designed a brief motor screening test (Edinburgh Motor Assessment Scale, EMAS) to address this need. The EMAS is composed of items, which form part a routine neurological examination. We aim to document the effectiveness of the EMAS in identifying relevant changes in the motor system when compared to established, standardised motor scales.
The study will include patients who seek medical attention with either
(a) complaints related to cognitive function (e.g. memory) and/or behaviour and emotion.
(b) motor complaints due to progressive conditions that are known to occasionally present with cognitive problems (e.g. Parkinson’s disease, Motor Neurone Disease).
Accordingly, patients can be recruited though clinics with cognitive and behavioural (e.g. memory clinic) or motor focus (e.g. Parkinson’s Clinic).
The study will take place in a hospital clinic environment. Participants will undergo a brief motor examination using the EMAS and a more detailed neurological examination using motor scales. In both cases medically trained personnel will examine the person's speech, eye movements, arms, legs and walking. Participants will also take part in brief screening tests for changes in cognitive function. The procedure has been successfully tested in 30 healthy volunteers and is expected to take about 60-90 minutes.Study data will stored, analysed and published as anonymized group data. Study progress will be publicized via the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic Website.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
15/SS/0041
Date of REC Opinion
30 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion