Assessment of Cognitive Impairment in Older Research Participants
Journal Title: Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research (BJSTR) - Year 2017, Vol 1, Issue 3
Abstract
In any clinical trial or observational study, a certain level of cognitive function is required in order to ensure participant safety and ability to comply with the study protocol. Participants should adequately understand what is involved in their participation, as well as any potential risks or benefits of participation. The costs of using a specific screening method, however, need to be weighed against the information obtained. This prevents the inefficient use of available resources, such as avoiding assessments that require an extremely long administration time and unnecessarily increase participant burden. Due to the inherent challenges in obtaining a valid assessment of cognitive function in a time efficient manner, all potential assessment measures should be evaluated with a “best fit” approach. Keeping this “best fit” approach in mind, we reviewed and evaluated a number of screening tests for assessing cognitive impairment based on recommendations provided by experts in the field. Based on our review, we provide recommendations about existing methods for screening cognitive function in older research participants. Using the “best fit” approach, we would recommend the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) to screen for cognitive impairment in older research participants. Other measures, such as the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI) and Modified Mini-Mental State (3MS), are indeed promising, but the MMSE can be administered in a time efficient manner and has the highest amount of supporting literature.In any clinical trial or observational study, a certain level of cognitive function is required in order to ensure participant safety and ability to comply with the study protocol. Participants should adequately understand what is involved in their participation, as well as any potential risks or benefits of participation. Although studies involving simple surveys or questionnaires may not require as careful screening as potentially higher risk studies(e.g., pharmacological interventions), [1] it is always necessary to ensure the participant fully understands the potential risks involved before agreeing to participate in the study. Age has been found to be significantly associated with cognitive decline [2,3] thus cognitive function and understanding of study risks and procedures should be carefully assessed in studies involving adults who are 60 years and older [4]. Careful assessment of cognitive function in older research participants, as well as screening for mild cognitive impairment, could help to prevent incidents such as an accidental overdose resulting from a previously forgotten dose being taken. Ensuring that the participant is capable of adhering to study protocols can prevent inappropriate requirements from being placed on the participant. Additionally, screening for cognitive impairment benefits the scientific community at large; ensuring that participants fully understand what they are agreeing to is vital for ethically sound science.
Authors and Affiliations
Robbie Ingram, Robert Fieo, Stephen D Anton
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP572784
- DOI 10.26717/BJSTR.2017.01.000316
- Views 193
- Downloads 0
Optimized Ophthalmic: Advances in the Treatment of Ocular Diseases in Animals
The eye is a highly complex organ in terms of structure and function. It is a very sensitive organ, the function of which may be affected even with mild insult to its homeostasis, due to direct injury or due to other loc...
Calculation of Rotational Barriers of 4-Acyloxy-4’-N-N-Butylcarbamyloxy-Biphenyls by Molecular Calculation and Linear Free Energy Relationships
Rotational barriers of ten 4-acyloxy-4’-N-n-butylcarbamyloxy-biphenyls were calculated by density functional theory. Linear free energy relationships between rotational barriers and reduced mass existed in these compound...
Stress Shielding in Cemented Hip Implants Assessed from Computed Tomography
Background: Aseptic loosening is the major cause of revisions for hip replacement. This mode of failure is often caused by stress shielding. Stress shielding in the femur occurs when some of the loads are taken by the pr...
HIV Testing among Women in Namibia: Patterns and Determinants
HIV Testing and Counseling (HTC) remains an important entry to HIV Prevention, treatment, care and support services. HIV Testing Services (HTS) associated guidelines indicate that there are still significant gaps remaini...
Children and Infant’s Vision and Measure for Detecting Congenital Eye Diseases
A baby’s vision goes through many changes during their first year of life. Knowing the milestones development of vision is what you can do to help your baby as well as can help you watch and enjoy on it. The pediatrician...