Development of the Cognitive Test for Severe Dementia

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2015;40(1-2):94-106. doi: 10.1159/000430089. Epub 2015 Jun 4.

Abstract

Background/aims: Existing cognitive measures for moderate-to-severe dementia have shown floor effects and an inability to assess the remaining cognitive function, especially for profound dementia.

Methods: We constructed the Cognitive Test for Severe Dementia (CTSD), which consists of 13 items covering 7 cognitive domains, and examined its reliability and validity.

Results: Cronbach's α in severe dementia participants was 0.896. Interrater and test-retest reliability were 0.961 and 0.969, respectively. The CTSD showed a significant correlation with 3 other measures of cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination, Severe Cognitive Impairment Rating Scale, and Hasegawa Dementia Scale-Revised: r values = 0.870-0.922, p values <0.001). While the other measures showed floor effects, the CTSD did not.

Conclusion: The CTSD was able to sensitively capture the remaining cognitive function in severe dementia patients when compared with other cognitive tests.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Dementia / classification
  • Dementia / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests*
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Severity of Illness Index*