Examining the validity of the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) and its domains using network analysis

Quoc Cuong Truong; Matti Cervin; Carol C. Choo; Katya Numbers; Adam C. Bentvelzen; Nicole A. Kochan; Henry Brodaty; Perminder S Sachdev; Oleg N. Medvedev

doi:10.1111/psyg.13069

journal article Open Access Dec 22, 2023

Examining the validity of the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) and its domains using network analysis

Quoc Cuong Truong

Matti Cervin

Carol C. Choo Katya Numbers Adam C. Bentvelzen Nicole A. Kochan Henry Brodaty

Perminder S Sachdev

Oleg N. Medvedev

Psychogeriatrics Vol. 24 No. 2 pp. 259-271 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1111/psyg.13069

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThe Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) is the most widely used standardised screener for impairments across a range of cognitive domains. However, the degree to which its domains (orientation, registration, attention, recall, language, and visuospatial) capture cognitive functioning measured using standardised neuropsychological tests is unclear.MethodA longitudinal research design with four biannual assessments over a 6‐year period was used with an initial sample of 1037 older adults (aged above 70 years). Participants completed MMSE and neuropsychological tests at each assessment. Network analysis was utilised to investigate unique associations among the MMSE and its domains and neuropsychological test performance at each time point.ResultsThe total MMSE and two of its domains, language and recall, were associated with neuropsychological memory performance. The MMSE orientation, registration and visuospatial domains did not have any unique associations with neuropsychological performance. No stable internal interconnections between MMSE domains were found over time. The association of total MMSE as well as its recall domain with neuropsychological memory performance remained very similar over the 6‐year period.ConclusionsThe present study adds evidence to the validity of the MMSE and supports the clinical usage of the MMSE, whereby the total score is used for screening patients with or without cognitive impairments, with repeated administration to monitor cognitive changes over time, to inform intervention. However, the tool is not able to diagnose the cases for changes in specific cognitive domains and as such, should not replace a complete neuropsychological assessment.

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References

Details

Published: Dec 22, 2023
Vol/Issue: 24(2)
Pages: 259-271
License: View

Authors

Q

Quoc Cuong Truong

University of Waikato School of Psychology Hamilton New Zealand

M

Matti Cervin

Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Lund University Lund Sweden

C

Carol C. Choo

College of Healthcare Sciences James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia

K

Katya Numbers