Cognitive dispersion is related to subtle objective daily functioning changes in older adults with and without cognitive impairment.

Abstract

Early detection of cognitive and functional decline is difficult given that current tools are insensitive to subtle changes. The present study evaluated whether cognitive dispersion on neuropsychological testing improved prediction of objectively assessed daily functioning using unobtrusive monitoring technologies. Hierarchical linear regression was used to evaluate whether cognitive dispersion added incremental information beyond mean neuropsychological performance in the prediction of objectively assessed IADLs (i.e., computer use, pillbox use, driving) in a sample of 104 community-dwelling older adults without dementia (Mage=74.59, 38.5% Female, 90.4% White). Adjusting for age, sex, education, and mean global cognitive performance, cognitive dispersion improved prediction of average daily computer use duration (R2 Δ=0.100, F Change, p=0.005), computer use duration variability (R2 Δ=0.089, F Change p=0.009), and average daily duration of nighttime driving (R2 Δ=0.072, F Change p=0.013). These results suggest cognitive dispersion may improve prediction of objectively assessed functional changes in older adults without dementia.