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Screening Tests In Detail

Comprehensive information about each cognitive screening test, including the cognitive skills assessed and test procedures.

Results Interpretation

Severely Impaired

Percentile rank ≤ 2%

Impaired

Percentile rank ≤ 7%

Below Average

Percentile rank ≤ 16%

Normal

Percentile rank > 16%

Good

Percentile rank > 50%

Very Good / Excellent

Percentile rank > 75%

If performance is "lower average" or worse, suitable training programs are automatically suggested.

Word Pairs 1 (Verbal Short-Term Memory) and Word Pairs 2 (Verbal Memory, Delayed Recall)

The Word Pairs Tests are used to assess memory, learning, and associative abilities, specifically evaluating the following cognitive skills:

  • Verbal Memory: The ability to retain and recall heard or read words.
  • Associative Learning: The ability to make connections between unrelated words.
  • Long-Term Memory: The capacity to store and retrieve information over extended periods.

Procedure

Participants are presented with several pairs of unrelated words (e.g., clock – hare) that they must memorize. After a brief pause, the second word (e.g., hare) must be recalled when the first word (clock) is displayed. This phase may include multiple rounds. [Word Pairs 1] After the participant is distracted by at least three subsequent screenings, they will be asked again to recall the word pairs. [Word Pairs 2]

Pathfinder Test (Visual-Spatial Attention)

The Pathfinder Test measures the following cognitive abilities:

  • Information Processing Speed: The speed at which information is received, processed, and responded to.
  • Care Performance: Visual-spatial attention, concentration, accuracy, and cognitive flexibility (the ability to flexibly shift attention and change problem-solving strategies).
  • Laterality: Delays in the right or left visual field, which may indicate neglect or hemianopsia.

Procedure

Part 1: Randomly arranged numbers from 1 to 20 appear on the screen. The participant's task is to click or tap these numbers in ascending order as quickly and accurately as possible. Part 2: Numbers and letters appear on the screen. Participants must click or tap the elements in ascending order, starting with the number 1, followed by the letter A, then number 2, letter B, and so on.

Image Builder (Spatial Cognition)

The Building Pictures Test measures a person's ability to recognize spatial relationships and structures, process visual information quickly, and solve problems effectively. The speed at which tasks related to spatial perception are completed is evaluated.

Procedure

Participants receive a template of a picture and must reconstruct it using a set of blocks. The accuracy of arrangement and the precision of the reconstruction are assessed based on both accuracy and time.

Number Sort (Working Memory)

The Ordering Numbers Test measures the capacity of working memory, specifically the ability to store and process information in the short term. It assesses:

  • Working Memory: The ability to actively manipulate this information, in this case, by sorting it in ascending order.
  • Short-Term Memory: The ability to retain a limited amount of information for brief periods.
  • Processing Speed: How quickly a person can arrange the numbers correctly.
  • Cognitive Flexibility and Attention: The ability to concentrate on the task and correctly sort the numbers, even as the task becomes more challenging.

Procedure

A series of numbers is presented randomly on the screen. The participant must remember the numbers and then arrange them in ascending order. The number of digits to remember and sort gradually increases. The test is time-limited, and results are evaluated based on correctness and the time taken.

Word Finding (Language)

The Word Finding Test assesses a person's verbal abilities and speech production. The time constraint also tests the speed of word retrieval and cognitive flexibility. The test evaluates:

  • Verbal Abilities: The ability to quickly and accurately find relevant words related to a specific category.
  • Cognitive Flexibility: The participant must flexibly switch between various word options and select appropriate terms from a potential pool.

Procedure

Participants must find appropriate words for given categories. Unscrambled letters are provided as a tool, and there is a time limit.

Tower of London (Planning)

The Tower of London Test measures executive functions, particularly:

  • Planning Ability: Anticipating, organizing, and executing steps to achieve a goal.
  • Problem-Solving Ability: Developing and adapting strategies to overcome challenges.
  • Working Memory: Holding and manipulating information for short-term tasks.
  • Inhibition: Controlling impulses to focus on goal-directed actions.
  • Cognitive Flexibility: Switching between tasks or strategies as needed.
  • Visual-Spatial Adjustment: Perceiving and manipulating objects in space.

Procedure

Participants are required to arrange colored blocks into a designated target configuration using as few moves as possible. They must shift and reorganize the blocks into different boxes.

Wellbeing Questions (Geriatric Depression Scale)

This questionnaire is designed to assess the overall well-being of older adults. The questions aim to identify emotional and psychological disorders, such as depression, at an early stage, thus providing valuable information for treatment planning.

Procedure

The test consists of questions about current feelings and experiences, with various answer options provided. Participants select the response that best fits their situation, focusing on feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.

ADL Questions (Geriatric Every Day Skills)

This questionnaire assesses the ability of older adults to independently manage daily activities. Daily living skills play a crucial role in the quality of life and overall well-being in older age. Evaluating these abilities allows for targeted support services to improve quality of life and maintain independence for as long as possible.

Procedure

Participants are presented with various daily living scenarios and must indicate how frequently they encounter these situations in their daily lives. Multiple answer options are available, from which they select the most applicable response.

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