Comparing different neurocognitive assessment tools with single cognitive tasks and dual task cognitive-walking paradigms in older adults
Date
2025
Authors
Veronneau, Natalie
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University Of Victoria
Abstract
"Introduction: Over one million older adults will be living with dementia by 2030. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) are commonly used tools for global cognitive assessments. Trail Making Test (TMT), Single-Task (ST) subtractions by sevens and Dual-Task (DT) walking-subtraction by sevens are used for Executive Functioning (EF) evaluation.
Method: 53 community dwelling older adults >60 participated. Cognitive status was evaluated by MoCA. To assess baseline ability, 30-second seated subtractions by 7’s was performed. Participants then performed a DT paradigm (walking- subtracting backwards by 7’s). RBANS and TMT were conducted at the end.
Results: Correlation was calculated using Jasp software. Total MoCA and RBANS scores were correlated suggesting no difference in their capacity to detect cognitive impairment in this population (r =-0.58, (<.001)). TMT showed significant associations with MoCA score (r=-0.552, (<.001)) and RBANS total scale (r = -0.49, (<.001)). ST showed significant associations with MoCA total score (r = 0.37, (0.006)), and RBANS total scale (r = 0.407, (0.003)). TMT and ST were also correlated (r = -0.31, (0.02)).
Discussion: Cognitive assessments do not test the integrity of nervous system in the same fashion as DT paradigms. DT paradigms are critical to challenge multiple facets of executive functioning that include both motor and cognitive domains to detect cognitive limitations in geriatrics."
Description
Keywords
cognitive assessment tools, dual-task, single-task, older adults