Study of Validity and Reliability of the Korean Complex Figure Test

Background: Complex figure test is useful in evaluating visuospatial perception and construction and visual memory function. The Rey Complex Figure Test (R-CFT) was widely used in evaluation of dementia patients. But, it was difficult to evaluate the elderly individual with low educational level and more progressed dementia patients. So we developed new tool named the Korean Complex Figure Test (K-CFT). Methods: The K-CFT was relatively easy consists of 9 parts and 22 subscales and total score was 30. Main structure were circle and crossed lines with black thick line. This study used the R-CFT to assess and compare the K-CFT in nineteen probable alcohol related dementia patients and nineteen normal aged control. All subjects received the Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) and the R-CFT and the K-CFT copying, immediate recall, delay recall, recognition. We tested reliability and validity of the K-CFT. Also we enrolled normal adult aged from 41 to 80 year old for evaluating change of the K-CFT test with age. Results: The K-CFT copying score well correlated with K-MMSE 0.66(p<0.01). The K-CFT and the R-CFT were related in copying 0.68(p<0.01), immediate recall 0.82(p<0.001), delayed recall 0.82(p<0.001). The internal consistency were 0.92 similar to 0.96(Cronbach's alpha). There was significant difference in the K-CFT score between alcohol related dementia patients and normal subjects as in the R-CFT score. Copying score of the K-CFT was not differ but copying time increased in old age group above 71. Conclusion: The K-CFT has excellent reliability and validity. It takes less time and easy than the R-CFT. So the K-CFT is a good test for evaluating visuospatial perception and construction and visual memory function in low educational level of older people and more progressed dementia patients.