Imagine you’re a detective trying to crack a case. You have a hunch that something is off, but you need solid evidence to confirm your suspicions. That’s exactly what researchers in Fukui, Japan did when it comes to dementia screening. They wanted to find a reliable way to detect dementia early on to provide timely intervention. So they developed a self-reporting yes/no survey, similar to a questionnaire, called the Kihon Checklist. They asked nearly 90,000 older adults in Fukui to answer simple questions like ‘Can you make a phone call by looking up numbers?’ or ‘Can you manage your own savings at the bank?’. And guess what? The results were impressive! Those who struggled with these basic tasks were more likely to have low scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), a test commonly used to diagnose dementia. This suggests that the yes/no survey could be an effective tool for identifying individuals at risk of dementia. So next time you need to solve the mystery of dementia, try the yes/no survey—it might hold the key!
Background: Early intervention for dementia patients is extremely important for the prevention of dementia. However, so far, it is not clear as to what kind of screening will be useful for the early detection of dementia.Objective: We aimed to investigate the relationship between the results of a short self-reporting yes/no survey selected in Kihon Checklist, developed by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to identify older adults who are at risk of requiring support/care, and other original items developed by Dementia Prevention Team, Fukui, Japan, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, and determine the diagnostic efficacy of the self-reporting yes/no survey.Methods: Self-reporting yes/no surveys were conducted for 87,687 individuals aged ≥65 years, living in Fukui, Japan, and did not have Long-Term Care Insurance, Japan. According to the survey results, selected individuals were advised to visit a local hospital to be assessed with MMSE.Results: Individuals who could not make a call by looking up phone numbers and manage their own deposits and savings at the bank or automatic teller machine (ATM) had an increased risk of low MMSE score (≤23; odds ratio: 2.74 [1.89–3.97]; 95% confidence interval: 2.12 [1.46–3.07]).Conclusions: Self-reporting yes/no survey could effectively screen for dementia. Not being able to make a call by looking up phone numbers and not being able to manage their own deposits and savings at the bank or ATM are signs of dementia.
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.