Xi Chen1, Sheryl Zimmerman2,3, Guy G Potter4, Philip D Sloane2,5, Lauren W Cohen6, David Reed2. 1. Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. 2. Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 3. School of Social Work, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 4. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. 5. Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 6. Clinical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate the Dental Activities Test (DAT), a clinical tool for measuring dentally related function in cognitively impaired older adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study design. SETTING: Three assisted living residences in North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS: Assisted living residents with normal to impaired cognition aged 50 and older; not blind, deaf, or severely physically disabled; and English speaking (N = 90). MEASUREMENTS: Items for the DAT were developed based on focus group discussions, literature review, and clinical relevance. Cronbach alpha, interrater reliability, and test-retest reliability were examined, and construct validity was assessed in relation to correlations with cognitive and functional assessments. Correlations between the DAT and oral health measures were also analyzed to evaluate the concurrent validity of the DAT. RESULTS: The DAT has excellent internal consistency reliability (Cronbach alpha 0.90), test-retest reliability (correlation coefficient (r) = 0.84), and interrater reliability (r = 0.90). In terms of construct validity, higher DAT scores were significantly associated with better cognitive function, as well as better activity of daily living and instrumental activity of daily living function. Finally, the DAT was significantly associated with oral hygiene and gingival health. CONCLUSION: The DAT is a reliable and valid instrument to measure dentally-related function in older adults with cognitive impairment.
OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate the Dental Activities Test (DAT), a clinical tool for measuring dentally related function in cognitively impaired older adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study design. SETTING: Three assisted living residences in North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS: Assisted living residents with normal to impaired cognition aged 50 and older; not blind, deaf, or severely physically disabled; and English speaking (N = 90). MEASUREMENTS: Items for the DAT were developed based on focus group discussions, literature review, and clinical relevance. Cronbach alpha, interrater reliability, and test-retest reliability were examined, and construct validity was assessed in relation to correlations with cognitive and functional assessments. Correlations between the DAT and oral health measures were also analyzed to evaluate the concurrent validity of the DAT. RESULTS: The DAT has excellent internal consistency reliability (Cronbach alpha 0.90), test-retest reliability (correlation coefficient (r) = 0.84), and interrater reliability (r = 0.90). In terms of construct validity, higher DAT scores were significantly associated with better cognitive function, as well as better activity of daily living and instrumental activity of daily living function. Finally, the DAT was significantly associated with oral hygiene and gingival health. CONCLUSION: The DAT is a reliable and valid instrument to measure dentally-related function in older adults with cognitive impairment.
Authors: Ziad S Nasreddine; Natalie A Phillips; Valérie Bédirian; Simon Charbonneau; Victor Whitehead; Isabelle Collin; Jeffrey L Cummings; Howard Chertkow Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2005-04 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: Thomas Hadjistavropoulos; Keela Herr; Kenneth M Prkachin; Kenneth D Craig; Stephen J Gibson; Albert Lukas; Jonathan H Smith Journal: Lancet Neurol Date: 2014-11-10 Impact factor: 44.182