Clinical Evaluation of the Mini-Mental State Exam with Culturally Deaf Senior Citizens

Abstract

The Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) is commonly used to screen cognitive function in a clinical setting. The measure has been published in over 50 languages; however, the validity and reliability of the MMSE has yet to be assessed with the culturally Deaf elderly population. Participants consisted of 117 Deaf senior citizens, aged 55-89 (M = 69.44, SD = 8.55). Demographic information, including state of residence, age, and history of depression, head injury, and dementia diagnoses, were collected. A standard form of the MMSE was used with modification of test administration and stimuli including translation of English test items into a sign-based form and alteration of two items in order to make them culturally and linguistically appropriate. Significant correlations were observed between overall test score and education level (r = .23, p = .01) as well as test score and age (r = -.33, p< .001). Patterns of responses were analyzed and revealed several items that were problematic and yielded a fewer correct responses. These results indicate that clinicians need to be aware of cultural and linguistic factors associated with the deaf population that may impact test performance and clinical interpretation of test results. On the basis of these data, there is an increased risk of false positives obtained when using this measure. Further research is needed to validate the use of this measure with the culturally Deaf population.

Sign language aphasia from a neurodegenerative disease

“…The repetition section of the Folstein MMSE is particularly problematic when being translated into American Sign Language. Due to grammatical differences between English and American Sign Language, a study by Dean et al (2009) found that only 21.4% of healthy older deaf signers could repeat the English idiom “No ifs, ands, or buts.” This is an example of differences between English and ASL that prevents direct word for word translation. However, our patient also was unable to repeat other sentences as described above.…”

Serum Ceramide Kinase as a Biomarker of Cognitive Functions, and the Effect of Using Two Slimming Dietary Therapies in Obese Middle Aged Females

“…A scoring system of 3 points scale was then put to present the degree of exposure and adequacy. General subjective life stresses, life pattern to evaluate general activity and history of exercising were recorded and put on the 3 points scale [ 27 ].…”

Metabolic Syndrome: Impact of Dietary Therapy

“…The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was performed for clinical evaluation of mental and cognitive status. The 30-point questionnaires take between 5 and 10 minutes and examination functions including registration, attention, calculation, recall, language, commands, and orientation [44]. It is a sensitive, valid, and reliable method that is used extensively in clinical and research settings to measure cognitive impairment and to estimate the severity and progression of cognitive impairment.…”