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Telephone-Assessed Mental State
D J Lanska1, F A Schmitt, J M Stewart
1Department of Neurology, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, KY 40536-0084.
Dementia (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 1, 1993
Summary
The Telephone-Assessed Mental State (TAMS) examination accurately assesses cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease patients. This brief tool shows strong correlation with standard cognitive tests, offering a viable remote assessment option.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses significant challenges for cognitive assessment, particularly in remote or home-based settings.
- Standard cognitive instruments often require in-person administration, limiting accessibility for patients with mobility issues or geographical constraints.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the validity of the Telephone-Assessed Mental State (TAMS) examination as a brief cognitive screening tool for Alzheimer's disease.
- To compare TAMS performance with established face-to-face cognitive assessments in a cohort of AD patients.
Main Methods:
- Thirty patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease participated in the study.
- Cognitive function was assessed using the TAMS examination via telephone.
- Performance was compared against results from standard, in-person cognitive instruments, including the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS).
Main Results:
- TAMS scores demonstrated a strong positive correlation with Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores (rho = 0.81).
- TAMS scores exhibited a strong negative correlation with Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS) scores (rho = -0.80), indicating comparable diagnostic accuracy.
Conclusions:
- The Telephone-Assessed Mental State (TAMS) examination is a reliable and valid tool for assessing cognitive status in individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
- TAMS offers a practical and effective alternative for cognitive screening, facilitating remote patient monitoring and reducing the need for in-person visits.