TRICALS Academy

The ALSFS-R remains the most commonly employed primary outcome measure for ALS trials. Both the ALSFRS and ALSFRS-R are designed to administer, verify and accurately place a participants status within a 5 point scale. To make sure the method is respoducible and compatible within and across participants, it is important to train evaluators to perform this assessment.

Over the last 20 years, two main groups can be identified in terms of designing and implementing this training. The NEALS consortium (in collaboration with the Upstate Medical University in Syracuse and later the Barrow Neurological Intitute in Phoenix) and ENCALS/TRICALS. While both trainings were similar, important differences have been noted that have the potential to alter scoring. This is why both groups felt the need to harmonize training and certification, to train evaluators in a consistent manner.

Following collaborative efforts, this has resulted in the harmonized ALSFRS-R. We hope that this SOP will be adopted universally, to improve the consistency and reliability of administration of a tool that remains the mainstay of ALS clinical trials.

For current active studies, please contact your monitor (CRA) or sponsor to sign up for the TRICALS Academy. For new studies or collaboration, please contact us via info@tricals.org.

The Harmonized ALSFRS-R is valid for one year. The Slow Vital Capacity, Isometric Strength Testing, King’s Staging and Electrophysiological Assessments certificates are valid for two years.