Efficient labor- and cost-effective method: Validation of a paper-pencil group cognitive assessment for older adults

With increasing rates of cognitive impairment in aging populations, efficient labor- and cost-effective screening methods are essential. The Paper-Pencil Group Cognitive Assessment (PAPLICA) is an innovative tool designed to assess cognitive function in groups, unlike traditional one-on-one cognitive assessments, saving labor and time. This study evaluated the reliability, validity, and accuracy of the PAPLICA for identifying cognitive impairment.

This study included 178 older Japanese adults (40 men, 138 women; mean age: 75.54 years, range: 65-91). Cognitive function was assessed using the PAPLICA 1 week prior and Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J) 1 week later.

The PAPLICA demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.79) and strong validity (r = 0.77, MoCA-J). The optimal cut-off point of 113/114 yielded a sensitivity of 81 %, specificity of 82 %, Youden's index of 0.63, and area under the curve of 0.88 for identifying cognitive impairment.

The PAPLICA is a reliable and valid cognitive assessment tool that satisfies the growing demand for efficient labor- and cost-effective screening in an aging society, offering a promising solution for large-scale cognitive screening.