Age-expanded normative data for the Ruff 2&7 Selective Attention Test: evaluating cognition in older males

Abstract

The Ruff 2&7 Selective Attention Test's (RSAT) current scoring data are relatively limited for older adults because persons over the age of 70 years were not included in the normative sample. Prior evidence suggests that changes in attention skills, such as those evaluated by the RSAT, may distinguish normal cognitive aging from pathologic cognitive decline. Thus normative data for older individuals on this measure increase its utility in diagnosing Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia, and enhance its potential use in clinical and research settings. Data from 415 male volunteers (mean age = 69.5 ± 5.7 years) in the PREADViSE clinical trial were used in the current investigation. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) shows statistically significant effects of age, race, and education on RSAT Speed measures. Results indicate that age-expanded norms will provide a more accurate reflection of the typical performance of older individuals on the RSAT.

Conflict of interest statement

Financial Disclosure Statement: The authors have no funding sources or financial interests that could create a potential conflict of interest in the conduct of this research. The authors have nothing to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1

Flow diagram of RSAT sample

Figure 2

Percent classified as impaired by existing and age-expanded normative data ADA=Automatic Detection Accuracy, ADS=Automatic Detection Speed, CSA=Controlled Search Accuracy, CSS=Controlled Search Speed