Development of a digital memory and learning test for elderly individuals

Population aging and the increase in memory-related diseases have motivated the search for accessible cognitive screening instruments. To develop a digital memory and learning test (DMLT) based on Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) principles to assess cognition in the elderly and identify early cognitive decline.

The research was divided into two phases: developing the digital test and the experimental phase of comparison with a reference test. The test was designed to assess episodic declarative memory through auditory-verbal learning. The experimental procedure involved 18 elderly participants and aimed to compare the performance on the digital test with the traditional RAVLT, followed by an evaluation of participant satisfaction.

Performance on the digital test and the RAVLT was comparable, with no significant statistical differences, indicating convergent validity between the instruments. Electroencephalographic activity analyses revealed correlations between wave patterns and test performance, suggesting that the digital test may provide additional insights into the neurophysiological processes underlying cognitive performance. Satisfaction assessment revealed high participant acceptance.

The DMLT is a promising tool for cognitive assessment in the elderly, offering an accessible alternative. The high acceptance among elderly participants suggests that the test has potential for clinical and research use, although further studies are needed to validate its effectiveness in broader clinical settings.