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Traditional Trail Making Test Modified into Brand-new Assessment Tools: Digital and Walking Trail Making Test
Published on: November 23, 2019
A normative study of the Trail Making Test in Korean elders
Eun Hyun Seo1, Dong Young Lee, Ki Woong Kim
1Interdisciplinary Program of Cognitive Science, Seoul National University, and Department of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Research Institute, Seoul University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
|September 7, 2006
Summary
Age, education, and gender significantly impact cognitive performance in Korean elders on the Trail Making Test (TMT). Normative data for Trail A is provided, but Trail B shows limited applicability for this population.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Cognitive function assessment is crucial in aging populations.
- The Trail Making Test (TMT) is a widely used neuropsychological tool.
- Normative data is essential for accurate interpretation of TMT performance in specific demographics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of age, education, and gender on TMT performance in Korean elders.
- To establish normative data for the TMT in this population.
- To assess the cross-cultural applicability of TMT.
Main Methods:
- The TMT (Parts A and B) was administered to 997 community-dwelling Korean adults aged 60-90.
- Participants with significant neurological, medical, or psychiatric disorders, including dementia, were excluded.
- Data analysis focused on the effects of age, education, and gender on TMT scores.
Main Results:
- Age and education significantly affected performance on both Trail A and Trail B.
- Gender demonstrated a significant effect on Trail A performance.
- Normative data for Trail A was stratified by age, education, and gender; Trail B norms were stratified by age and education.
Conclusions:
- Age and educational attainment are key factors influencing TMT performance in Korean elders.
- Normative data for Trail A can aid in assessing elders with lower educational backgrounds and facilitate cross-cultural comparisons.
- Trail B's completion rate is low in this elderly population, suggesting limited clinical utility, especially for those with less education.
