The Development and Validation of a Neuropsychological Assessment for Mild Cognitive Impairment of Filipino Older Adults

Mild Cognitive impairment (MCI) has become increasingly recognized and studied because of its, greater opportunity for taking preventive measures to preserve cognition for as long as possible. So far, there are only two published neuropsychological tests for MCI developed abroad. These tests are automated. Only those who are computer literate can avail these tests. This study was an attempt to provide a reliable and valid neuropsychological tool to detect Mild Cognitive Impairment in Filipino older adults. Two weeks interval test-retest reliability correlations were all significant (r =.911 to r = 1.000). Construct and Criterion validity correlations were significant (p < 0.01). t-Test for equality of means showed significant differences: between Normal and with MCI (associated risk for the development of dementia or Alzheimer's disease, a degenerative disease of the brain from which there is no recovery. This disease attacks nerve cells in all parts of the cortex of the brain, as well as some surrounding structures, thereby impairing a person's abilities to govern emotions, recognize errors and patterns, coordinate movement, and remember. In the final stages, an afflicted person may lose all memory and mental functioning. Early diagnosis of MCI can provide = -99.479, p <.05); and between MCI & Mild AD (t = -36.254, p <.05). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that tests measured the intended dimensions of memory, cognitive functions, and language. Initial and Final construct validation analyses indicated that the Neuropsychological Assessment for Mild cognitive Impairment (NAMCI) showed indications of being a reliable and valid screening instrument in determining mild cognitive impairment in Filipino Older Adults. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.