The use of the Digit Span Test in screening for cognitive impairment in acute medical inpatients

Abstract

Dementia and delirium were prevalent, yet under-recognized, in acute medical geriatric inpatients. The DSB is an effective tool in identifying patients with major cognitive impairment.

Aging, Cognitive Decline and Hearing Loss: Effects of Auditory Rehabilitation and Training with Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants on Cognitive Function and Depression among Older Adults

“…The DST is a short-term memory task where the patient's memory is measured by the longest list of numbers they can repeat in correct order immediately after presentation [Leung et al, 2011;Muangpaisan et al, 2010;Schroeder et al, 2012;Sung et al, 2012]. The Stroop test is a measure of reaction time and investigates executive function and selective attention [Mackin et al, 2010;Seo et al, 2008;Rivera et al, 2015] The MoCA is a cognitive function screening test of various cognitive domains and was included as it has been shown to have 90% sensitivity and 87% specificity that enables identification of 90% of cases with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 100% of patients with mild Alzheimer disease.…”

“…Select cases were further screened for cognitive decline and depression through the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) [Nasreddine et al, 2005] and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) [Sheikh and Yesavage, 1986], and assessment of short-term memory and executive function were assessed via the Digit Span test (DST) [Leung et al, 2011] and the Stroop color-word test (Stroop test) [Stroop, 1935], respectively. Evaluation schedules and materials were tailored for the individual according to their hearing loss and hearing treatment program and were included for comparison in crosssectional and/or longitudinal study analysis ( table 1 ).…”

Dark chocolate administration improves working memory in students

“…(9) The DST consists of a sequence of digits that must be memorized and verbally repeated by the test subject. DST results are consistently good in normal elderly, (10) in elderly with cognitive dysfunction, (11) and also in children. (12) The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of administration of dark and white chocolate on working memory in students, and differs from previous studies in the use of a parallel group design.…”

“…The test may be performed as a single test or as part of a method comprising several tests. The DST may be used in children (11) and in the elderly, both in healthy elderly or in elderly with cognitive dysfunction. (12) In the elderly, DST is more acceptable than the Mini Mental State Evaluation (MMSE), (12) while in healthy young persons, MMSE is apparently too simple so that the test results may not show any differences.…”

Impact of hypertension on cognitive performance in individuals with high level of education

“…[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29]. The neuropsychological test battery included the Boston Naming Test (BNT) [21], Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT5 -sum of 5 recall trials of 15 words, RAVLT6 -immediate recall after inference and RAVLT7 -delayed recall after 30 minutes) [25], the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test copy and delayed recall (REY-C and REY-30) [26], Semantic Verbal Fluency animal category (VF) [22], Phonological Verbal Fluency (FAS), [24] Forward and Backward Digit Span Test (FDST and BDST) [29], Trail Making Test part A and B (TMT-A and TMT-B) [23], Clock Drawing Test (CDT) [27], and Digit Symbols Substitution Test (DSST) [28].…”