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. 2014 Apr;12(2):149-53.
doi: 10.1590/s1679-45082014ao2954.

Learning effect of computerized cognitive tests in older adults

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Rafaela Sanches de Oliveira  1 , Beatriz Maria Trezza  1 , Alexandre Leopold Busse  1 , Wilson Jacob-Filho  1
Affiliations

Learning effect of computerized cognitive tests in older adults

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Rafaela Sanches de Oliveira et al. Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2014 Apr.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To evaluate the learning effect of computerized cognitive testing in the elderly.

Methods: Cross-sectional study with 20 elderly, 10 women and 10 men, with average age of 77.5 (± 4.28) years. The volunteers performed two series of computerized cognitive tests in sequence and their results were compared. The applied tests were: Trail Making A and B, Spatial Recognition, Go/No Go, Memory Span, Pattern Recognition Memory and Reverse Span.

Results: Based on the comparison of the results, learning effects were observed only in the Trail Making A test (p=0.019). Other tests performed presented no significant performance improvements. There was no correlation between learning effect and age (p=0.337) and education (p=0.362), as well as differences between genders (p=0.465).

Conclusion: The computerized cognitive tests repeated immediately afterwards, for elderly, revealed no change in their performance, with the exception of the Trail Making test, demonstrating high clinical applicability, even in short intervals.

Objetivo:: Avaliar o efeito da aprendizagem nos testes cognitivos computadorizados em idosos da comunidade.

Métodos:: Estudo transversal, com 20 idosos - 10 mulheres e 10 homens, com média de idade de 77,5 (±4,28) anos. Os voluntários realizaram duas séries em sequência de testes cognitivos computadorizados e seus resultados foram comparados. Os testes aplicados foram: Trail Making A e B, Spatial Recognition, Go/No Go, Memory Span, Pattern Recognition e Reverse Memory Span.

Resultados:: Houve efeito de aprendizagem na comparação dos resultados somente no teste Trail Making A (p=0,019). Os demais testes não apresentaram alteração significante no desempenho. Não houve correlação entre o efeito de aprendizagem e a idade (p=0,337) e a escolaridade (p=0,362), e nem diferença entre os gêneros (p=0,465).

Conclusão:: Os testes cognitivos computadorizados repetidos por idosos imediatamente após sua realização não revelaram alteração do seu desempenho, com exceção do teste Trail Making, que demonstrou alta aplicabilidade clínica, mesmo em intervalos curtos.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: none.

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