Normative Data for a Tablet-Based Dual-Task Assessment in Healthy Older Adults

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Dual-task assessments are crucial for evaluating cognitive function in aging populations.
• Existing assessments often lack normative data, limiting their clinical utility.
• Tablet-based assessments offer a portable and accessible method for cognitive testing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish normative data for a novel tablet-based dual-task assessment.
• To evaluate the feasibility and performance of this assessment in healthy older adults.
• To provide a benchmark for future research and clinical applications.

Main Methods:

• 264 healthy older adults (60-90 years) performed single and dual-task image discrimination on a tablet.
• Reaction time (RT), coefficient of variation, and accuracy were measured.
• Statistical analyses included ANOVAs and linear regressions to assess performance and demographic influences.

Main Results:

• High accuracy was observed across all participants and task types.
• Significant dual-task costs and task-set costs were identified in reaction times.
• Older age correlated with slower RT and increased variability; gender influenced performance on specific trials.

Conclusions:

• The tablet-based dual-task assessment provides valuable normative data for cognitively healthy older adults.
• The assessment is accurate, efficient (under 15 minutes), and easily transferable to clinical and research environments.
• This tool can aid in the early detection and monitoring of cognitive changes in aging individuals.