1. Background

• IADL decline distinguishes MCI from dementia
• Questionnaires are subjective;
  performance-based tools are often impractical
• The Computerised Sydney Test of Activities of Daily Living in Memory
  Disorders (C-STAM) is a computerised, performance-based IADL tool
• Its use in dementia assessment depends on whether performance reflects cognition, not non-cognitive factors

 

2. Methods

• Cross-sectional pilot study in Sydney.
  Australia
• N = 31 adults aged 60+ years
• 17 normal cognition
• 14 MCl/dementia
• Analyses:
• Spearman correlations
• Hierarchical regression

 

3. Key findings

• Significant correlations:
• Only age and ACE-III
  variables were significantly correlated with C-STAM, not any non-cognitive variables.
• ACE-I was the strongest predictor of C-STAM performance.
• DASS-21 mood symptoms did not improve prediction after cognition was included.

ACE-III: p = 0.70***

Age: p = -0.50**

Overall model: R' = 81

4. Take home message

• C-STAM performance was mainly associated with cognition, rather than mood, and other non-cognitive factors in this pilot sample
• The C-STAM may offer an efficient, objective and scalable complement to subjective and informant-reported IADL measures
• Larger validation studies are now in progress

Pilot findings support the potential objectivity of the C-STAM and its use as an IADL assessment tool in older adults with and without cognitive impairment.