scholarly journals Regression-Based Normative Data for Independent and Cognitively Active Spanish Older Adults: Digit Span, Letters and Numbers, Trail Making Test and Symbol Digit Modalities Test

Author(s):  
Clara Iñesta ◽  
Javier Oltra-Cucarella ◽  
Beatriz Bonete-López ◽  
Eva Calderón-Rubio ◽  
Esther Sitges-Maciá

In this work, we developed normative data for the neuropsychological assessment of independent and cognitively active Spanish older adults over 55 years of age. Method: Regression-based normative data were calculated from a sample of 103 non-depressed independent community-dwelling adults aged 55 or older (67% women). Raw data for Digit Span (DS), Letters and Numbers (LN), the Trail Making Test (TMT), and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) were regressed on age, sex, and education. The model predicting TMT-B scores also included TMT-A scores. Z-scores for the discrepancy between observed and predicted scores were used to identify low scores. The base rate of low scores for SABIEX normative data was compared to the base rate of low scores using published normative data obtained from the general population. Results: The effects of age, sex, and education varied across neuropsychological measures. Although the proportion of low scores was similar between normative datasets, there was no agreement in the identification of cognitively impaired individuals. Conclusions: Normative data obtained from the general population might not be sensitive to identify low scores in cognitively active older adults, incorrectly classifying them as cognitively normal compared to the less-active population. We provide a friendly calculator for use in neuropsychological assessment in cognitively active Spanish people aged 55 or older.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S931-S931
Author(s):  
Kate Hamel ◽  
Sarah Barber ◽  
Carl Ketcham ◽  
Kristy Lui

Abstract The relationship between older adults’ gait and cognition has been well-studied, however there is little consensus regarding a best set of measures to assess cognition. One option that has not been previously examined is the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHT-CB), which was developed to be used across the lifespan and across research disciplines. This study examined the relationships between the seven subtests of the NIHT-CB, Trail-Making Tests A and B, and temporospatial measures of gait. One hundred sixty-seven healthy, community-dwelling older adults (115 females, 73.4 ± 4.5 years) completed these cognitive measures and also walked at their self-selected pace back-and-forth five times along a temporospatial-measuring walkway. The mean and coefficient of variation were calculated for each gait variable (stride length, width, time and velocity; stance/swing time and % of stride). After controlling for potential confounders (height, weight, age, sex, education, self-efficacy, health, exercise and falls history), executive function measures were typically the most significant cognitive predictors. More specifically, the Dimensional Change Card Sort task was the best predictor of temporal measures and stride velocity (all ps < 0.001) and the Trail-Making Test Part B was the best predictor for variability measures (five of eight p-values < 0.001). Interestingly, stride length and also stance and swing % of stride were strongly related to a measure of language - Picture Vocabulary (all ps < 0.006). The NIHT-CB appears to be a useful tool for studies of gait in older adults, particularly when used in conjunction with Trail-Making Test B.


2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (sup1) ◽  
pp. 42-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ondrej Bezdicek ◽  
Hana Stepankova ◽  
Bradley N. Axelrod ◽  
Tomas Nikolai ◽  
Zdenek Sulc ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv18-iv27
Author(s):  
Amirah Fatin Ibrahim ◽  
Gaik Kin Teoh ◽  
Mei Chan Chong ◽  
Maw Pin Tan ◽  
Siti Mariam Muda ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Older adults may remove themselves voluntarily from social activities due to health concerns and physical limitations that leads to loneliness. Additionally, loneliness is associated with poorer health among older adults. Therefore, this study aims to improve health status among community-dwelling older adults in the sub-urban area through this social participation project by creating awareness on empowering the older adults in managing their health and social life. Methods This is a community-based participatory research (CBPR) applying both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative data was obtained with a standardized data collection document and obtained during a series of health screening programs. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Key results 87 older adults participated in two health screening events. The mean age was 66 ± 6.5 (SD) years, median BMI was 26.5 (IQR=6.4), mean systolic blood pressure was 141 ± 14.6 (SD) mmHg, median diastolic blood pressure was 78 (IQR=10) mmHg, median timed up and go was 10 (IQR=3) seconds, median trail-making test A was 45.8 (IQR=24.4) seconds, median trail-making test B was 115.8 (IQR=99.3) seconds. The mean hand grip strength for male was 30.76 ± 5.1 (SD) kg for right hand and 31.87 ± 24.5 (SD) kg for left hand. The mean hand grip strength for female was 18.40 ± 5.1 (SD) kg for right hand and 17.14 ± 5.0 (SD) kg for left hand. Discussion The results may represent a portion of community-dwelling older adults who are actively engage in community activities such as religious classes, weddings or events. Therefore, the results showed normal values for all physical and mental tests. However, 61% of the participants were overweight or obese and had higher mean systolic blood pressure suggesting the need for more education and awareness on health management.


Assessment ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordi Llinàs-Reglà ◽  
Joan Vilalta-Franch ◽  
Secundino López-Pousa ◽  
Laia Calvó-Perxas ◽  
David Torrents Rodas ◽  
...  

The Trail Making Test (TMT) is used as an indicator of visual scanning, graphomotor speed, and executive function. The aim of this study was to examine the TMT relationships with several neuropsychological measures and to provide normative data in community-dwelling participants of 55 years and older. A population-based Spanish-speaking sample of 2,564 participants was used. The TMT, Symbol Digit Test, Stroop Color–Word Test, Digit Span Test, Verbal Fluency tests, and the MacQuarrie Test for Mechanical Ability tapping subtest were administered. Exploratory factor analyses and regression lineal models were used. Normative data for the TMT scores were obtained. A total of 1,923 participants (76.3%) participated, 52.4% were women, and the mean age was 66.5 years (Digit Span = 8.0). The Symbol Digit Test, MacQuarrie Test for Mechanical Ability tapping subtest, Stroop Color–Word Test, and Digit Span Test scores were associated in the performance of most TMT scores, but the contribution of each measure was different depending on the TMT score. Normative tables according to significant factors such as age, education level, and sex were created. Measures of visual scanning, graphomotor speed, and visuomotor processing speed were more related to the performance of the TMT-A score, while working memory and inhibition control were mainly associated with the TMT-B and derived TMT scores.


Author(s):  
Richard Gnassounou ◽  
Bénédicte Defontaines ◽  
Séverine Denolle ◽  
Stéphanie Brun ◽  
Raphaël Germain ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To compare the administration of neuropsychological tests by teleneuropsychology (TeleNP) and face to face (F-F) in order to determine the feasibility and reliability of TeleNP. Method: At the inclusion visit, all participants underwent a traditional F-F neuropsychological assessment as part of their standard care. Four months after inclusion, they were randomized to undergo an additional neuropsychological assessment either by F-F administration or by TeleNP. Results: A total of 150 adults with cognitive complaints, but with no major cognitive or sensorial impairment were included. At 4 months, 69 participants were randomized in the F-F arm and 71 in TeleNP arm (10 lost in the follow-up). The overall satisfaction was high: 87.1% in the TeleNP arm were “very satisfied”, and 82.9% indicated no preference between F-F and TeleNP. In agreement with previous data from the literature, neuropsychological assessments gave similar results across both administration conditions for a large majority of tests [Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) French version, Mahieux gestural praxis battery, Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), time of completion of the Trail making Test (TMT) A and B, number of errors of the TMT B, Rey complex figure test, categorical et phonological verbal fluency tests] and minor differences for others [80-picture naming test (DO-80), FAB, Digit Span forward and backward and number of errors in the TMT A]. Conclusions: TeleNP is a promising method to be able to test patients as an alternative to F-F condition. Before this procedure can be generalized, it is now necessary to standardize the adaptation of certain tests and to test them in populations with more significant cognitive disorders.


2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 533
Author(s):  
Nísea De A. Corrêa ◽  
Maria P. Foss ◽  
Paula R. B. Diniz

Objetivo: Verificar as alterações estruturais e funcionais, evidenciadas através da imagem por ressonância magnética, relacionadas aos déficits de memória identificados em idosos normais, quando comparados a adultos jovens. Metodologia: Procedeu-se à revisão sistemática, cujo protocolo obedeceu ao fluxograma do Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). Foram investigadas as bases de dados PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, utilizando o gerenciador de referências JabRef, na versão 2.10, e o Web of Science, pelo website. Foram incluídos artigos de estudos quase experimentais, transversais, em coorte ou tipo caso-controle, publicados entre 2005 e 2014, em periódicos indexados nacionais e internacionais, cuja amostra incluísse idosos a partir de 60 anos, não dementes, submetidos à investigação de alterações estruturais e funcionais do sistema nervoso central, por ressonância magnética e sua associação com déficits de memória avaliados por testes neuropsicológicos. Resultados: Quanto à técnica de imagem empregada, identificaram-se dois estudos com imagem por ressonância magnética estrutural, seis estudos com utilização de imagem por ressonância magnética funcional, e quatro estudos que empregaram ambas as técnicas. Nos 12 estudos foi identificado o emprego de 38 testes neuropsicológicos distintos, com uma média de cinco testes por estudo, com variação de um a 12 testes. Dentre os testes mais usados, estiveram o WAIS Digit Span Backwards (em sete estudos), o Trail Making Test A and B (em quatro estudos) e o Wechsler Memory Scale (em quatro estudos). Conclusão: Os estudos demonstraram que no envelhecimento normal, ocorre redução do volume de substância branca para-hipocampal, do volume do hipocampo e do córtex entorrinal com redução de memória verbal, possivelmente por desmielinização das fibras; redução das vias que ligam o lobo temporal e frontal, contribuindo para a redução da memória episódica, da memória de trabalho e da fluência verbal; redução da supressão de informações irrelevantes, o que contribui para menor registro de informação; alterações das áreas frontal e parietal que comprometem a memória de reconhecimento; modificações na atividade e na conectividade do default mode network; reorganização das funções cognitivas, bem como alentecimento de resposta por provável redução de ativação do córtex pré- frontal


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 125-131
Author(s):  
Tae-Hoon Kim

BACKGROUND: Mastication improves cognitive function by activating cerebral cortical activity, and it is important to demonstrate the cognitive effects of masticatory training using a variety of different interventions. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of masticatory exercise on cognitive function in healthy older adults living in the community. METHODS: For six weeks, twelve participants performed a masticatory exercise using a NOSICK exerciser device, and thirteen subjects performed daily life without masticatory exercises. Trail Making Test, Digit Span Test, and Stroop test were used to measure the cognitive function. RESULTS: The participants in the experimental group showed significant improvements in TMT-A/B (p= 0.001 and 0.004), DST-forward (p= 0.001), and ST-word (p= 0.001). The effect sizes after the intervention were calculated as (1.2 and 0.8) for TMT-A/B, (0.8 and 0.2) for Digit Span Test forward/backward, and (0.6 and 0.2) for Stroop test color/word. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the masticatory exercises improve cognitive function in healthy older adults. Therefore, masticatory exercises can be used as a therapeutic exercise during cognitive rehabilitation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1051-1051
Author(s):  
Kendra L Pizzonia ◽  
Andrew M Bryant ◽  
Leatha A Clark ◽  
Brian C Clark ◽  
Julie A Suhr

Abstract Objective ApoE is a well-known gene carrying risk for Alzheimer’s disease and is associated with memory performance while the COMT gene is associated with executive functioning but is understudied. The present study investigated these gene interactions across cognitive domains. Method A larger study on gait and aging recruited 89 healthy community-dwelling adults over the age of 60. The primary analyses included 82 participants (67% female, mean age = 74.61, SD = 6.71). The analyses on executive functioning included 72 participants (65% female, mean age = 73.02, SD = 4.99) who completed all measures of interest. ApoE status was defined as presence/absence of Ɛ4. The rs4680 gene on the COMT allele was classified into Val/Met, Val/Val, and Met/Met genotypes. Biological sex was included as a binary term (i.e., male/female). Index variables and age corrected standard scores on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status, verbal fluency, and Trail Making Test were included. Results Gene–gene interactions were found for overall cognitive functioning, immediate memory, and semantic fluency. There were main effects of sex for overall cognitive functioning, immediate memory, delayed memory, and semantic fluency. There were main effects for COMT for delayed memory and a main effect for both COMT and ApoE for visuospatial functioning, coding, and verbal fluency (all p’s < 0.05). There were no ApoE x COMT x Sex interactions and Trail Making Test B was not related to either gene or sex. Conclusion(s) Our findings suggest that both COMT and ApoE (and their interaction) influence cognition. Future research should investigate gene–gene interactions in larger samples with more comprehensive cognitive batteries.


2008 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geana Paula Kurita ◽  
Cibele Andrucioli de Mattos Pimenta ◽  
José Oswaldo de Oliveira Júnior ◽  
Ricardo Caponeiro

Os danos à vida diária que a alteração cognitiva pode provocar motivaram a elaboração deste estudo, cujo objetivo foi analisar o impacto do tratamento da dor com opióides sobre a atenção. Os doentes foram divididos em grupos que recebiam (n=14) e não recebiam opióides (n=12). Foram feitas três entrevistas, utilizando-se o Trail Making Test e o Digit Span Test, que avaliam a atenção. Os grupos foram homogêneos nas variáveis sociodemográficas, dor e depressão; não foram homogêneos no índice de Karnofsky e no recebimento de analgésicos adjuvantes. Os doentes sem opióides tiveram melhor desempenho no Digit Span Test - ordem inversa, na segunda avaliação (p=0,29) e não foram observadas diferenças no Trail Making Test. As alterações observadas foram limitadas, mas, enquanto novos estudos não confirmem os achados, doentes, profissionais e cuidadores devem ser alertados dos possíveis efeitos deletérios dos opióides sobre a função cognitiva.


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