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Telephone adaptation of the Modified Mini-Mental State Exam (3MS). The Cache County Study
M C Norton1, J A Tschanz, X Fan
1College of Family Life, Utah State University, Logan, USA.
Neuropsychiatry, Neuropsychology, and Behavioral Neurology
|October 20, 1999
Summary
The new Telephone Modified Mini-Mental State Exam (T3MS) shows good agreement with the in-person Modified Mini-Mental State Exam (3MS). This telephone cognitive assessment offers a practical alternative for research and clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Assessment
- Telehealth
Background:
- Longitudinal cognitive studies benefit from flexible assessment tools.
- Telephone-based assessments can increase accessibility for remote or homebound individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the concurrent validity of a new telephone adaptation of the Modified Mini-Mental State Exam (T3MS).
- To assess if T3MS can serve as a reliable substitute for the in-person 3MS in cognitive screening.
Main Methods:
- 263 noninstitutionalized elderly individuals (65-93 years) with minimal cognitive impairment participated.
- The Modified Mini-Mental State Exam (3MS) and the Telephone Modified Mini-Mental State Exam (T3MS) were administered within a four-week interval.
- Random assignment of administration order was employed to minimize bias.
Main Results:
- Strong correlation (r = 0.82, p < 0.001) was observed between T3MS and 3MS scores.
- Screening agreement ranged from 80% to 96% across different cutoff scores, indicating high concordance in classifying cognitive status.
Conclusions:
- The Telephone Modified Mini-Mental State Exam (T3MS) is a valid and cost-effective alternative to the in-person 3MS for individuals without significant cognitive impairment.
- Further validation in populations with more severe cognitive deficits is recommended, potentially using institutionalized samples.
