Yamaguchi fox-pigeon imitation test: a rapid test for dementia.
OBJECTIVE
We herein propose a hand-gesture imitation test, consisting of a simple one-handed sign of a 'fox' and a complex two-handed sign of a 'pigeon', as a rapid, game-like test for detecting dementia/Alzheimer disease (AD) with low psychological burden. The test measures the visuomotor function, which deteriorates in the early stages of AD.


METHODS
We examined 88 demented subjects, 19 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 53 normal controls aged 65 years or over. The subjects were classified according to the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR).


RESULTS
The specificity of the test was 94%, and the sensitivity was 58% in CDR 0.5 (MCI), 77% in CDR 1 (mild dementia), 75% in CDR 2 (moderate dementia), and 90% in CDR 3 (severe dementia). The test could be conducted within 1 min and no subjects refused to be tested.


CONCLUSIONS
This brief hand-gesture imitation test can sensitively evaluate visuomotor deficits in dementia/AD, while some subjects are unaware of their failure or even that their cognitive function is being tested. We herein describe the precise protocol for worldwide use.
Yamaguchi
Haruyasu
H
Gunma University School of Health Sciences, Maebashi, Japan. yamaguti@health.gunma-u.ac.jp
Maki
Yohko
Y
Yamagami
Tetsuya
T
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005868:Gestures; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology