Development of the Nurses' Observation Scale for Cognitive Abilities (NOSCA)

Abstract

Background. To assess a patient's cognitive functioning is an important issue because nurses tailor their nursing interventions to the patient's cognitive abilities. Although some observation scales exist concerning one or more cognitive domains, so far, no scale has been available which assesses cognitive functioning in a comprehensive way. Objectives. To develop an observation scale with an accepted level of content validity and which assesses elderly patients' cognitive functioning in a comprehensive way. Methods. Delphi technique, a multidisciplinary panel developed the scale by consensus through four Delphi rounds (>70% agreement). The International Classification of Functioning/ICF was used as theoretical framework. Results. After the first two Delphi rounds, the panel reached consensus about 8 cognitive domains and 17 sub domains. After two other rounds, 39 items were selected, divided over 8 domains and 17 sub domains. Discussion. The Nurses' Observation Scale Cognitive Abilities (NOSCA) was successfully designed. The content validity of the scale is high because the scale sufficiently represents the concept of cognitive functioning: the experts reached a consensus of 70% or higher on all domains and items included; and no domains or items were lacking. As a next step, the psychometric qualities of the NOSCA will have to be tested.

Developing principles of best practice for art therapists working with children and families

“…The level of consensus within the Delphi panel that is considered acceptable by the research team also differs, with some studies reporting an agreement level set at 90% (Pfleger, McHattie, Diack, McCaig, & Stewart, 2008) and others setting the agreement level at 70% (Persoon, Banningh, van de Vrie, Rikkert, & van Achterberg, 2011).…”

Evaluation of an Adaptive Implementation Program for Cognitive Adaptation Training for People With Severe Mental Illness: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Intervention effectiveness refers to the clinical improvement of the service users as a result of Cognitive Adaptation Training. The effectiveness of Cognitive Adaptation Training was determined by the improvements of the service users on daily functioning and cognitive functioning measured by 2 observational questionnaires: Life Skills Profile [ 34 ] and the Nurses’ Observation Scale of Cognitive [ 35 ]. The Life Skills Profile consists of 39 questions on a 4-point scale (total score range: 39-156) and measures various aspects related to daily life activities: self-care; nonturbulence; social contact; communication; and responsibility.…”

“…Results on the Life Skills Profile from the previous research [ 7 ] evaluating the effectiveness of Cognitive Adaptation Training revealed a significant effect for people receiving Cognitive Adaptation Training in addition to treatment as usual compared to treatment as usual only. The Nurses’ Observation Scale of Cognitive Abilities [ 35 ] measures cognitive functioning and includes 39 items (total score range: 0-121) subdivided into 8 cognitive domains (subscales): attention, perception, memory, orientation, higher cognitive domains, thoughts, language, and praxis. The Nurses’ Observation Scale of Cognitive Abilities is scored on a 4-point scale.…”

Patient-tailored multimodal neurorehabilitation: The Lucerne model

“…7,8 In addition, self-reported questionnaires and monodisciplinary observation tools incorporating ICF domains were developed. [9][10][11][12] However, self-reported questionnaires strongly depend on preserved cognitive abilities (i.e. insight) of patients and monodisciplinary observation tools do not reflect the whole condition of a stroke patient within a multidisciplinary rehabilitation setting.…”