Conversational assessment of cognitive dysfunction among residents living in long-term care facilities

Abstract

Background:There are some existing barriers posed by neuropsychological tests that interfere with the assessment of cognitive functioning by staff who work in long-term care facilities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of assessing cognitive function through conversation.Methods:A total of 100 care staff was randomly selected as participants. Each staff member evaluated cognitive function in one to three residents using the Conversational Assessment of Neurocognitive Dysfunction (CANDy), which is a screening test for dementia using conversation. Other scales used were the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer’ s Disease (BEHAVE-AD), and quality-of-life questionnaire for the elderly with dementia (QOL-D).Results:A total of 80 care staff members and 158 residents were analyzed. When the CANDy involved an evaluation based on face-to-face communication, it demonstrated significant correlations with the MMSE, BEHAVE-AD, and several indices of the QOL-D (e.g. negative affect and actions, communication ability, restless, and spontaneity and activity). In contrast, when the CANDy involved an evaluation based on an impression of a typical conversation, it only demonstrated significant relationships with the MMSE and the spontaneity and activity index of the QOL-D.Conclusions:Conversational assessment is a useful means to assess cognitive functioning and to promote interactions between residents and care staff in long-term care facilities.

Parietal and occipital leukoaraiosis due to cerebral ischaemic lesions decrease the driving safety performance of healthy older adults

“…A dementia specialist (K.P.) interviewed all participants with their families, examined the participants, and ruled out dementia based on MRI findings and neuropsychological tests including the Conversational Assessment of Neurocognitive Dysfunction, newly developed for dementia diagnosis based on daily conversations 25 . We collected the medical histories of participants and confirmed that none had cerebrovascular disorders, brain tumours, or cardiovascular disease.…”

Parietal and occipital leukoaraiosis due to cerebral ischaemic lesions decrease the driving safety performance of healthy older adults

“…A dementia specialist (K.P.) interviewed all participants with their families, examined the participants, and ruled out dementia based on MRI ndings and neuropsychological tests including the Conversational Assessment of Neurocognitive Dysfunction (CANDy) newly developed by us for dementia diagnosis based on daily conversations [25] . None of the participants had cerebrovascular disorders or brain tumours.…”

Effect of the Intake of Brown Rice for Six Months on the Cognitive Function in Healthy Elderly Persons: A Study Protocol for a Pilot, Non-Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Finally, the participant’s fingertip volume pulse wave was recorded in an autonomic test. A staff member who frequently spoke with the participants in the facility was asked to respond to the Conversational Assessment of Neurocognitive Dysfunction (CANDy) [ 43 ] to assess the participants’ daily conversation skills. Thereafter, the intervention with the participants by providing the designated brown or white rice was commenced.…”

“…CANDy [ 43 ] is a 15-question scale based on which others rate the characteristics of the daily conversation of the elderly with dementia. This scale has a maximum score of 30 points, with high scores indicating the presence of a variety of conversational features.…”