Abstract
Aim: Electronic memory assessment has been recently developed using the ALBAV test. The aim of the study was to find out its discriminant and concurrent validity and other characteristics.
Methods: The ALBAV electronic tests were completed at home of the participants with computer assistance of a nearby person in some patients. The total ALBAV score of 0-40 is a sum of the results of four tasks each with a range of 0-10 points: the number of correctly recalled 1) picture names; 2) gestures; 3) words of a sentence and 4) naming more difficult pictures for patients with cognitive impairment.
The ALBAV test was self-administered by 108 persons over the age of 55. They were divided into a group of 34 patients with mild impairment of cognitive functions (MIC) and 74 individuals assessed with neuropsychological tests for concurrent validity from whom a subgroup of 45 persons with normal cognitive functions (NE) and similar sociodemographic characteristics as patients was selected.
Results: MIC patients had significantly lower scores in individual tasks and the total ALBAV score (21 +- 6 vs. 30 +- 3 points) than those in the NE group. Based on the receiver operating characteristic analysis, the optimal cut-off score is 27 points with a sensitivity of 82%, a specificity of 82%, and a high area under the curve of 0.9 for detection of mild impairment of cognitive functions.
The total score of the ALBAV test is significantly positively correlated with scores of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test and negatively correlated with the duration of the Trail Making Tests A and B. It is also significantly correlated with the results of the in-person evaluation - the ALBA memory score and the number of recalled picture names in the PICNIR test.
A Cronbach's alpha value for the ALBAV test is 0.77. Conclusion: The ALBAV electronic test is a possible valid tool for memory self-examination.
The future plan is to implement an automatic evaluation of the test and adaptation of the test to different electronic devices.