Clock Copying Predicts Mortality in Adult Protective Services Clients

The objective of this study was to determine if a clock copying task predicts 18-month mortality in an Adult Protective Services (APS) sample referred for a decision-making capacity assessment.

The authors performed a retrospective medical record review of clients (N = 233) referred by APS for a decision-making capacity assessment during a 3-year time period. Information extracted included demographic data and neuropsychological performance on a battery sensitive to executive function, visuospatial ability, depression, memory, and general cognition. A Cox proportional hazards models was constructed to determine the relationship between Executive Clock Drawing Task Part 2 (CLOX2) performance and survival.

Poor clock copying, as measured by CLOX2, predicted 18-month mortality when covaried for age, education, sex, rural dwelling status, depression, and general cognition.

Clock copying is an easily administered visuospatial task that may inform survival in this vulnerable population.