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A Comparison of Computerized and Pencil‐and‐Paper Tasks in Assessing Cognitive Function in Community‐Dwelling Older People in the Newcastle 85+ Pilot Study
Author(s) -
Collerton Joanna,
Collerton Daniel,
Arai Yasumichi,
Barrass Karen,
Eccles Martin,
Jagger Carol,
McKeith Ian,
Saxby Brian K,
Kirkwood Tom
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2007.01379.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cognition , wechsler adult intelligence scale , confidence interval , randomized controlled trial , cognitive test , odds ratio , gerontology , psychiatry , surgery , pathology
OBJECTIVES: To compare the acceptability and feasibility of computerized and pencil‐and‐paper tests of cognitive function in 85‐year‐old people. DESIGN: Group comparison of participants randomly allocated to pencil‐and‐paper (Wechsler Adult Intelligence and Memory Scales) or computerized (Cognitive Drug Research) tests of verbal memory and attention. SETTING: The Newcastle 85+ Pilot Study was the precursor to the Newcastle 85+ Study a United Kingdom Medical Research Council/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council cohort study of health and aging in the oldest‐old age group. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty‐one community‐dwelling individuals aged 85. MEASUREMENTS: Participant and researcher acceptability, completion rates, time taken, validity as cognitive measures, and psychometric utility. RESULTS: Participants randomized to computerized tests were less likely to rate the cognitive function tests as difficult (odds ratio (OR)=0.16, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.07–0.39), stressful (OR=0.18, 95% CI=0.07–0.45), or unacceptable (OR=0.18, 95% CI=0.08–0.48) than those randomized to pencil‐and‐paper tests. Researchers were also less likely to rate participants as being distressed in the computer test group (OR=0.19, 95% CI=0.07–0.46). Pencil‐and‐paper tasks took participants less time to complete (mean±standard deviation 18±4 minutes vs 26±4 minutes) but had fewer participants who could complete all tasks (91% vs 100%). Both types of task were equally good measures of cognitive function. CONCLUSION: Computerized and pencil‐and‐paper tests are both feasible and useful means of assessing cognitive function in the oldest‐old age group. Computerized tests are more acceptable to participants and administrators.