Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between specific subtests of the Mini-Mental State Examination-Second Edition (MMSE-2) and activities of daily living (ADL) functions in people with dementia.

Methods: A cross-sectional design study was conducted to collect data from two teaching hospitals in northern Taiwan between March 2019 and March 2020. One hundred and twenty-five people with dementia were recruited and assessed with the MMSE-2, Barthel Index (BI), Self-Perceived Difficulty Scale, Ability Scale, and Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (Lawton IADL) once.

Results: The subtests of registration, language, MMSE-2: Standard Version total score, story memory, processing speed, and MMSE-2: Expanded Version (MMSE-2: EV) total score of theMMSE-2were significantly correlated with the BI, Self-Perceived Difficulty Scale, and Ability Scale (r = .31–.35, p < .001). In addition, the subtests of orientation, MMSE-2: Brief Version total score, and visual-constructional ability were significantly correlated with the Ability Scale (r = .32–.33, p < .001). All, except for registration subtest, were significantly correlated with the Lawton IADL (r = .29–.57, p < .001). The registration and language subtests were two important predictors of the BI, while the processing speed subtest was the only predictor for the Self-Perceived Difficulty Scale and Ability Scale. The MMSE-2: EV total score was an important predictor of the Lawton IADL.

Conclusions: The overall findings from our study demonstrates that the relationship between the MMSE-2 and ADL functions is not simply general, but that specific aspects of the MMSE-2 do in fact correlate more significantly and strongly with certain ADL functions. The findings of this study could help with the early detection of people with dementia and may provide useful information for early interventions to maintain patients' independence.