A Study on the Evaluation of Cognitive Function of Adults

So, Hee Young; Jung, Mi Ha

Abstract

PURPOSE
this study was to evaluate Cognitive Function Test for the Korean population. Digit Forward (DF), Digit Backward (DB) and Trail Making Test-A(TMT-A) and the translated version of the Trail Making Test-B (TMT-B) were used. The study examined the performance of Korean normal adult population whose age ranged from 20 to over 80. It was predicted that performances of the Korean population would be different from that of the United States population due primarily to their differences in language, and education. METHOD: Normal Korean adults at the Daejeon Metropolitan City and Chungchung Province (N=298) participated in this study. Seven age scores were evaluated; 20~29, 30~39, 40~49, 50~59, 60~69, 70~79, &>80s. The effects of age, gender, and years of education was examined, which yielded significant age and education effects. The scores were further specified accordingly in terms of years of education (0, 1~6, 7~12, 13~16, &>17), and gender. RESULT: As the age increased cognitive function score decreased. As the years of education increased, cognitive function scores increased. There was no difference in cognitive function scores according to gender. Age and year of education had significant effects on cognitive function and explained 52-58% of variants of each test. CONCLUSION: The data of the cognitive function tests are expected to be utilized for research purposes such as basic and clinical studies, as well as practical purpose such as cognitive assessment for traumatic brain injury, stroke, and elderly and nursing education for assessment tools.