Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the association of age and education in the performance of cognitively preserved older adults in the d2 Sustained-Attention Test, and to compare the results of different age groups and levels of schooling in this instrument. The sample was composed of 211 adults, 60 years of age or older, who were not institutionalized, and who completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Mini Mental State Examination, the Geriatric Depression Scale (short form), and the d2 Test. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, partial correlations, multiple linear regression and one-way ANOVA. The results of partial correlations and multiple linear regression showed that age and years of schooling demonstrated significant associations with all d2 Test scores, with age being the predictive variable that showed the greatest influence on the performance of the older adults. Comparison of performance in the d2 Test among the six groups according to the distribution by age group (60-69 years and 70 years or more) and by levels of schooling (primary, secondary and higher) showed that younger adults with a higher level of schooling scored better on the d2 Test, suggesting the need for normative data studies for this population.
Highlights
Attention is a cognitive function that allows an individual to process a limited amount of information obtained and made available through the sensory organs, memory and other cognitive and physiological processes (Sternberg, 2006)
The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of age and education with performance on the d2 Sustained-Attention Test in older adults, and to compare the performance of different age groups, divided by schooling, in this population
There was a negative correlation between age and d2 Test net score, which suggests that, the more advanced the age, the worse the level of sustained attention
Summary
Attention is a cognitive function that allows an individual to process a limited amount of information obtained and made available through the sensory organs, memory and other cognitive and physiological processes (Sternberg, 2006). Sustained attention has a proven, direct relationship to other cognitive functions, such as memory, orientation, perception and executive functions (Lezak, Howieson, Bigler, & Tranel, 2013; Lopes, Ziemnczak, Nascimento, & Argimon, 2015; Strauss, Sherman, & Spreen, 2006; Sohlberg & Mateer, 2009). Despite its relevance, this function has been the subject of relatively little scientific research (Lezak et al, 2013), especially in the elderly population. Decreased attention in the elderly may be influenced by the presence of mood disorders, such as depression, which often occurs in this population (Lezak et al, 2013; Mattos & Junior, 2010; Paula et al, 2013; Sohlberg & Mateer, 2009)
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