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Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
Published on: February 14, 2014
Influence of cognitive functioning on functional status in an older population: 3- and 6-year follow-up of the
Susan A H van Hooren1, Martin P J van Boxtel, Susanne A M Valentijn
1School of Psychology, Open University of the Netherlands, PO Box 2960, 6401 DL Heerlen, The Netherlands. susan.vanhooren@ou.nl
Background:
To date, it remains unclear to what extent cognitive competence is related to a change in general functional status in older adults.
Objectives:
To evaluate both the cross-sectional and the longitudinal relation between cognitive functioning and functional status.
Methods:
Sensorimotor speed, memory, and executive functioning were assessed in a large population of healthy adults aged 60 years and older (n = 485) who participated in the Maastricht Aging Study. Data from the baseline (1993-1995), three-year follow-up, and six-year follow-up were used. Functional status was measured using the SF-36, which was coded into a physical and a mental component summary measure.
Results:
After adjustment for age, sex, and educational level, a high level of cognitive functioning appeared to be associated with better functional status in the cross-sectional analysis. Longitudinal analyses demonstrated, that cognitive functioning was not a predictor of functional status three or six years later.
Conclusions:
Thus while cognitive functioning is useful clinically for predicting the short-term functional status of an older person, it is not useful for predicting that person's long-term (>3 years) functional status and thus the period of validity of the results of these tests in answering such questions is limited.
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