Factor structure of the Modified Mini Mental State (3MS) exam among participants in inpatient neurorehabilitation

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate the factor structure of the Modified Mini Mental State (3MS) Exam and its suitability as a cognitive screening tool among individuals admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit for new-onset neurological injury/illness.

Method: A retrospective chart review was conducted. Of the 187 individuals meeting the inclusion criteria, 116 had a diffuse pattern of neurological injury/illness; 71 had a focal injury/illness. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses (CFA; EFA) were conducted for the whole sample and separately by group.

Results: The CFA suggested poor fit indices. The EFA of the total sample suggested a three-factor solution (Orientation/Awareness; Learning/Recall and Executive Functioning; Psychomotor Ability). The EFA of the diffuse subsample suggested a three-factor solution (Attention and Learning/Recall; Psychomotor Ability; Expressive Language). The Orientation/Awareness, Learning/Recall, Executive Functioning, Psychomotor Ability, and Expressive Language four-factor solution observed among the focal subsample was considered invalid.

Conclusion: The 3MS provides information about the pattern of cognitive performance among individuals in neurorehabilitation; clinicians are advised to interpret total scores with caution. Among individuals with focal injuries/illnesses, clinicians might use the 3MS to compare the pattern of cognitive ability to expectations for performance and to support strengths-based approaches to participation in rehabilitation therapies.

KEYWORDS:

• Cognitive screening
• modified mini mental state (3ms) exam
• inpatient rehabilitation
• stroke
• traumatic brain injury
• factor analysis

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.