The K-T cancellation test in the older adults: Normative data and construct validity

Neuropsychol Dev Cogn B Aging Neuropsychol Cogn. 2013;20(4):429-42. doi: 10.1080/13825585.2012.727975. Epub 2012 Oct 9.

Abstract

Since cutoff scores are necessary for differentiating normal cognitive functioning from dementia, the main objective of this study was to establish normative data of the K-T test, a standardized cancellation test. The construct validity of K-T test was also investigated. In total, 2471 cognitively intact elderly subjects from the SU.VI.MAX 2 study were included in the present study. Younger subjects, women and subjects with higher education had a higher number of correct answers and fewer omission errors. Participants made few commission errors and only the educational level was found to have a significant effect. Normative data for correct responses and efficiency were stratified by age, education, and gender. Correlation analysis showed that the K-T test was significantly correlated to validated neuropsychological tests assessing executive functions. This study permits to strengthen the utility of the K-T test to detect impairment of the executive components involved in the task.

Keywords: Age; Cancellation task; Construct validity; Education; Executive functions; Gender; Normative data.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Dementia / diagnosis
  • Educational Status
  • Executive Function*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests*
  • Reference Values
  • Sex Factors