Nat Med

New cognitive test improves dementia care among diverse, older adults

June 14, 2024

The 5-Cog Paradigm, a brief, culturally adept, cognitive detection tool paired with a decision tree embedded in electronic medical records was three times more effective in identifying cognitive disparities among 1,200 predominantly Black and Latino older adults in this randomized trial. The test combines three metrics designed to test memory recall, the connection between cognition and gait, and the ability to match symbols to pictures. The tests are easy to perform, relatively quick, and are not affected by reading level or ethnic/cultural differences among patients.

• Overall, 1,201 patients (mean age 72.8 years, 72% women and 94% Black, Hispanic or Latino) were enrolled and 599 were assigned to 5-Cog and 602 to the control.
• The 5-Cog Paradigm demonstrated threefold odds of improvement in dementia care actions over control (odds ratio, 3.43; 95% confidence interval, 2.32-5.07).
• No serious intervention-related adverse events were reported.

Sources:

Verghese J, et al. (2024, June 4). Nat Med. Non-literacy biased, culturally fair cognitive detection tool in primary care patients with cognitive concerns: a randomized controlled trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38834847/

(2024, June 4). NIH. News Releases. New clinical assessment tool improves dementia care actions in primary care patients. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/new-clinical-assessment-tool-improves-dementia-care-actions-primary-care-patients