A path to early diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and dementia: validity and reliability of the myMemCheck® self-administered screening tool. (20th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mansbach, William E; Mace, Ryan A; Tanner, Melissa A; Simmons, Steven P
• Is Part Of: Family practice. Volume 37:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 561
• Page End: 567
• Publication Date: 2020-02-20
• Subjects: Community medicine -- dementia -- geriatrics -- nursing homes -- screening -- self-management; Primary care (Medicine) -- Periodicals; Clinical medicine -- Periodicals; 616.005
• DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmaa014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-2136

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Barriers to the early detection of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia can delay diagnosis and treatment. myMemCheck® was developed as a rapid free cognitive self-assessment tool that can be completed at home to identify older adults that would benefit from a more comprehensive cognitive evaluation. Objective: Two prospective cross-sectional studies were conducted to examine the psychometric properties and clinical utility of myMemCheck® . Methods: In Study 1, participants were independent living residents referred to an outpatient memory clinic ( N = 59); older adults in the community and post-acute nursing home residents ( N = 357) comprised Study 2. Results: Psychometric analyses were performed on cognitive and psychological testing data, including myMemCheck® . myMemCheck® evidenced adequate reliability and strong construct validity. Receiver operating characteristic analysis evidenced an optional myMemCheck® cut score for identifying older adults at risk for MCI or dementia. myMemCheck® explained 25% of cognitive status beyond basic patient information. Conclusions: myMemCheck® may help fast-track the diagnostic process, facilitate appropriate referrals for cognitive and neuropsychological evaluation, reduce assessment burden in health care and prevent negative outcomes associated with undetected cognitive impairment.