Each test checks one or more of the following: What kinds of questions and tasks are asked in cognitive tests?Ĭognitive screening tests check various brain functions. If your healthcare provider thinks you need more testing or other imaging tests, they’ll order these tests or refer you to a neurologist. The DSST, Stroop, and TMT demonstrated good construct validity, supporting their use in comprehensive fall-risk assessments in older adults who fall.Are cognitive tests used to diagnose dementia?Ĭognitive screening tests aren’t specifically used to diagnose dementia. Conclusions: These established MCIDs will allow clinicians to interpret meaningful changes in executive function following exercise amongst older adults who have fallen. The executive function measures exhibited good convergent ( r = −0.22 to r = 0.42) and divergent ( r < −0.01 to r = 0.16) validity. MCIDs for the TMT were not meaningful due to high variability (Improvement: CD = −106.6 ROC = −18.4 DA = −69.1 s Decline: CD = 69.1 ROC = 14.5 DA = 69.1 s). MCID decline ranges were −3 to −6 symbols for the DSST (CD = −5.2 ROC = −2.5 DA = −3.3 symbols) and 5.4–30.6 s for the Stroop (CD = 30.6 ROC = 5.4 DA = 20.6 s). Results: Based on the 3 approaches, MCID improvement ranges were 3–5 symbols for the DSST (CD = 5 ROC = 2.5 DA = 3.3 symbols), and −11.5 to −26.0 s for the Stroop (CD = −26.0 ROC = −11.5 DA = −20.6 s). We used Spearman’s correlations to explore convergent validity between executive function measures and other measures involving the same construct (DSST, Stroop, TMT, MoCA, and Mini-Mental State Examination), and divergent validity between executive function measures and variables reflecting different constructs (Geriatric Depression Scale, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, sex, and body mass index). MCID ranges were estimated using these approaches. The distribution-based approach (DA) accounted for variability in baseline and follow-up data. An anchor-based receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was employed to identify optimal cut-off scores of the 3 executive function measures. Anchor-based executive function change differences ( 1 year minus baseline) observed in participants with meaningful changes in the MoCA (≥3 or ≤ −3 points) receiving the OEP were subtracted from the CON. We estimated MCIDs using anchor- and distribution-based approaches. Methods: Complete case analyses of cognitive outcomes (DSST, Stroop, TMT, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment ) were acquired at baseline and 1 year (NCT01029171 NCT003235960) participants were randomized to the OEP ( n = 114/172 Age: 80.6 ± 6.1 years 64.9% Female) or CON ( n = 128/172 Age: 82.3 ± 5.8 years 71.9% Female)]. Our secondary aim was to establish construct (convergent and divergent) validity of these measures. We aimed to determine MCIDs of the Digit Symbol Substitution Test ( processing speed measure), Stroop (inhibition measure), and Trail Making Test B-A (TMT set-shifting measure), using anchor- and distribution-based approaches in older adults who have fallen and received the Otago Exercise Program (OEP) relative to usual care only (CON). However, MCIDs of many cognitive measures are not established. Minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) are critical for understanding whether observed changes are meaningful. Introduction: Executive function is responsive to exercise and predictive of subsequent falls.

Moca test interpretation