A quick test of cognitive speed (AQT): regression-based norms for cognitively healthy 80 to 94-year olds. Issue 5 (3rd September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Classon, Elisabet; van den Hurk, Wobbie; Wressle, Ewa; Rehn, Inger; Johansson, Maria M.
• Is Part Of: Aging, neuropsychology, and cognition. Volume 29:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: 820
• Page End: 839
• Publication Date: 2022-09-03
• Subjects: Neuropsychological tests -- aged -- 80 and over -- processing speed -- normative; Aging -- Periodicals; Cognition in old age -- Periodicals; Cognition disorders in old age -- Periodicals; Neuropsychology -- Periodicals; Aging -- periodicals; Neuropsychology -- periodicals; Cognition -- periodicals; Mental Disorders -- periodicals; Gerontology -- periodicals; Mental Health -- periodicals; 155.67
• DOI: 10.1080/13825585.2021.1922585
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1382-5585

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Slowed processing speed is part of normal aging but also a symptom of many diseases, including dementia. A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed (AQT) consists of three conditions: color naming (AQT1), form naming (AQT2) and dual color-form naming (AQT3) and offers a user-friendly assessment of processing speed that is used internationally to identify cognitive impairment in elderly patients. Appropriate age-norms have however been lacking. This study provides regression-based norms derived from a Swedish sample of 158 cognitively healthy 80 to 94-year olds. The results show age effects in all three conditions, a non-linear education effect in AQT1, and age by gender interactions in AQT2 and AQT3: men performed worse with increasing age, but women remained on a par. However, irrespective of age and gender, AQT2 and AQT3 mean raw and predicted scores were slower than the hitherto recommended cutoff criteria for suspected cognitive impairment.