Application of a computer-based neurocognitive assessment battery in the elderly with and without hearing loss

Völter, Christiane; Götze, Lisa; Falkenstein, Michael; Dazert, Stefan; Thomas, Jan Peter

doi:10.2147/cia.s142541

Cited by 32 publications

(38 citation statements)

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“…A visually based neurocognitive assessment tool (ALAcog), which is based on standardized paper and pencil versions adapted for hearing-impaired and already used in former studies, has been applied pre- and post-operatively. 46 , 47 The test battery is composed of 11 subtests, covering various cognitive subdomains as previously described in detail: 36 , 47 …”

Section: Participants and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

<p>Benefits of Cochlear Implantation in Middle-Aged and Older Adults</p>

Völter¹,

Götze²,

Haubitz³

et al. 2020

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Introduction Nowadays cochlear implantation (CI) is the treatment of choice in adults in case conventional hearing devices fail. Besides speech perception, an improvement in quality of life and in cognitive performance has been reported. Thereby, the study focused on the impact of age. Participants and Methods Thirty middle-aged (MA) between 50 and 64 years and 41 older subjects (OA) aged 65 and older with bilateral severe hearing loss performed a comprehensive computer-based neurocognitive test battery (ALAcog) pre- and 12 months post-implantation. Besides, monosyllabic speech perception in quiet (Freiburg monosyllabic speech test), health-related quality of life (HR-QoL, Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire) and depressive symptoms (GDS-15) have been assessed. Results Both age groups significantly improved in all three categories after 12 months. No differences were evaluated between MA and OA regarding speech perception and HR-QoL pre- and post-operatively. In contrast, cognitive performance differed between the age groups: pre-operatively OA performed worse in most neurocognitive subdomains like working memory (p=0.04), inhibition (p=0.004), processing speed (p=0.003) and mental flexibility (p=0.01), post-operatively MA outperformed OA only in inhibition (p=0.01). Age only slightly influenced cognitive performance in MA, whereas in OA age per se tremendously impacted on working memory (p=0.04), inhibition (p=0.02), memory (p=0.04) and mental flexibility (p=0.01). Educational level also affected processing speed, mental flexibility (p=0.01) and working memory (p=0.01). This was more pronounced in OA. In both age groups, hearing status had a strong effect on attentional tasks (p=0.01). In MA, depressive symptoms were more influential on cognitive functioning and on HR-QoL than in OA. Improvement in quality of life (p=0.0002) and working memory (p=0.001) was greater for those with a higher pre-operative depression score. Conclusion Speech perception and HR-QoL improved in hearing impaired, independently of age. Pre-operative differences in cognitive performance between OA and MA clearly attenuated 12 months after CI. Impact of comorbidities differed between age groups.

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Section: Participants and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

<p>Benefits of Cochlear Implantation in Middle-Aged and Older Adults</p>

Völter¹,

Götze²,

Haubitz³

et al. 2020

CIA

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“…All participants underwent neurocognitive testing using a multimodular computer-based test battery (ALAcog) developed at the Institute of Work, Learning and Ageing in Bochum and the Leibniz Research Centre of Working Environment and Human Factors in Dortmund, Germany. The battery was composed of 10 different subtests based on well-known paper and pencil tests and covered the most important domains of cognition as previously described in detail by Völter et al 38 M3 test (based on the d2 test of attention, described by Brickenkamp 39 ), which predominantly measures attention Recall and delayed recall task (based on the verbal learning and memory test according to Helmstaedter et al 40 ) to assess short-term memory function n-back test, which comprises the 0-back and the 2-back task and is used to assess working memory as previously described by Kirchner 41 and Wild-Wall et al 42 Operation span task (OSPAN), which also assesses working memory abilities based on the OSPAN 43 Trail A and B tasks, testing processing speed and executive functions (based on Reitan 44 ) Flanker test as described by Eriksen and Eriksen 45 as well as Wild-Wall et al 10 to assume inhibitory abilities for compatible and incompatible stimuli Verbal fluency task for evaluation of long-term memory, based on Chicago Word Fluency Test by Thurstone 46 …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can cochlear implantation improve neurocognition in the aging population?

Völter¹,

Götze²,

Dazert³

et al. 2018

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IntroductionThe relationship between cognition and the ability to hear is well known. Due to changes in demographics, the number of people with sensorineural hearing loss and cognitive impairment is increasing. The aim of this study was to identify the impact of hearing rehabilitation via cochlear implantation on cognitive decline among the aging population.Patients and methodsThis prospective study included 60 subjects aged between 50 and 84 years (mean 65.8 years, SD=8.9) with a severe to profound bilateral hearing impairment. A computer-based evaluation of short- and long-term memory, processing speed, attention, working memory and inhibition was performed prior to surgery as well as 6 and 12 months after cochlear implantation. Additionally, speech perception at 65 and 80 dB (Freiburger monosyllabic speech test) as well as disease-related (Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire) and general (WHOQOL-OLD) quality of life were assessed.ResultsSix months postimplantation, speech perception, quality of life and also neurocognitive abilities significantly increased. The most remarkable improvement after 6 months was detected in executive functions such as attention (p<0.001), inhibition (p=0.025) and working memory (n-back: p=0.002; operation span task: p=0.008), followed by delayed recall (p=0.03). In contrast, long-term memory showed a significant change of performance only after 12 months (p=0.021). After 6 months, most cognitive domains remained stable, except working memory assessed by the operation span task, which significantly improved between 6 and 12 months (p<0.001). No correlation was found between cognitive results and duration of deafness, speech perception or quality of life.ConclusionCochlear implantation does not only lead to better speech perception and quality of life, but has also been shown to improve cognitive skills in hearing impaired adults aged 50 years or more. These effects seem to be independent of each other.

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“…As shown in different studies, computerbased tests are also useful for testing elderly people. 73,74 However, it is recommended to do a pretest run in advance to adapt subjects who are less experienced with computers to digital media. 75 A large variety of computer-based testing tools, screening tools, and comprehensive test batteries are available now.…”

Section: Cognitive Assessment Tools For Subjects With Sensory Impairmentmentioning

confidence: 99%