Visual-spatial perception: a comparison between instruments frequently used in the primary care setting and a computerized cognitive assessment battery

BACKGROUND: The development of screening instruments will help the primary care team to determine when further comprehensive cognitive assessment is necessary. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis based on medical records. PATIENTS AND SETTING: Patients referred to a comprehensive geriatric assessment unit. ANALYSIS: Cognitive screening and assessment included visual-spatial components: the Mini Mental State Examination, the Clock Drawing Test, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test, and the Neurotrax (Mindstreams) computerized cognitive assessment battery. RESULTS: The average age of the 190 eligible patients was 81.09±5.42 years. Comparing the individual tests with that of the visual-spatial index of Neurotrax, we found the Trail Making B test to be most sensitive (72.4%) and the Cube Test to have the highest specificity (72.8%). A combination of tests resulted in higher sensitivity and lower specificity. CONCLUSION: The use of a combination of visual-spatial tests for screening in neurocognitive disorders should be evaluated in further prospective studies.