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Reliability of Visual Temporal Thresholds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2014

L N Brown ,
M Eliasziw  and
L M Metz
L N Brown
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
M Eliasziw
Affiliation:
Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
L M Metz
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Abstract

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Background:

Visual processing deficits involving temporal characteristics are typically not captured by the widely used outcome measures (i.e., Expanded Disability Status Scale, Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite) in multiple sclerosis (MS). Visual temporal thresholds (i.e., measurements of the temporal aspects in visual processing) are typically significantly higher (i.e., prolonged) in MS patients when compared to controls. The test-retest reliability of these thresholds was examined in patients with MS.

Methods:

Visual temporal thresholds were measured in 21 stable MS patients during two separate test sessions. Test-retest reliability and the standard error of measurement were calculated. The threshold of change in visual temporal thresholds in MS patients that would correspond to real change beyond measurement error with 95% certainty was also calculated. For comparisons, a control group (n = 10) was included.

Results:

The test-retest reliability of this measure of visual temporal thresholds was 0.97. The threshold indicating change beyond chance or measurement error with 95% certainty was 11 ms. Higher thresholds were significantly correlated with longer durations of disease.

Conclusions:

This measure of visual temporal thresholds has excellent test-retest reliability and a change of greater than 11 ms is highly likely to represent real change in MS patients. The findings indicate that these measurements may provide useful clinical information about functional changes regarding the temporal aspects of the visual system, which is currently not captured by the Extended Disability Status Scale.

Résumé:

RÉSUMÉ:<span class='italic'><span class='bold'>Contexte</span></span>:

Les déficits du traitement de l’information visuelle ayant des caractéristiques temporalis ne sont généralement pas détectés par les mesures communément utilisées (Expanded Disability Status Scale, Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite) chez les patients atteints de sclérose en plaques (SEP). Les seuils visuels temporaux (c’est-à-dire les mesures des aspects temporaux du traitement de l’information visuelle) sont significativement plus élevés (c’est-à-dire prolongés) chez les patients atteints de SEP par rapport à des témoins. Nous avons évalué la fiabilité du test-retest de ces seuils chez des patients atteints de SEP.

<span class='italic'><span class='bold'>Méthodes</span></span>:

Les seuils visuels temporaux ont été mesurés au cours de deux sessions chez 21 patients atteints de SEP qui étaient stables. La fiabilité test-retest et l’erreur standard de la mesure ont été calculées. Le seuil de changement des seuils visuels temporaux chez les patients atteints de SEP qui correspondrait à un changement réel au-delà de l’erreur de la mesure avec une certitude de 95% a été calculé. À titre de comparaison, un groupe témoin (n = 10) a été inclus.

<span class='italic'><span class='bold'>Résultats</span></span>:

La fiabilité test-retest de cette mesure des seuils visuels temporaux était de 0,97. Le seuil indiquant un changement au-delà du hasard ou d’une erreur de mesure avec une certitude de 95% était de 11 ms. Des seuils plus élevés étaient corrélés significativement à une durée plus longue de la maladie.

<span class='italic'><span class='bold'>Conclusions</span></span>:

Cette mesure des seuils visuels temporaux a une excellente fiabilité test-retest et il existe une forte probabilité qu’un changement de plus de 11 ms représente un changement réel chez les patients atteints de SEP. Selon nos observations, ces mesures peuvent fournir une information utile en clinique sur les changements fonctionnels des aspects temporaux du système visuel, ce qui n’est pas détecté actuellement par le Extended Disability Status Scale.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 34 , Issue 4 , November 2007 , pp. 433 - 437
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2007

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