Specific algorithm method of scoring the Clock Drawing Test applied in cognitively normal elderly

The Clock Drawing Test (CDT) is an inexpensive, fast and easily administered measure of cognitive function, especially in the elderly. This instrument is a popular clinical tool widely used in screening for cognitive disorders and dementia. The CDT can be applied in different ways and scoring procedures also vary. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to analyze the performance of elderly on the CDT and evaluate inter-rater reliability of the CDT scored by using a specific algorithm method adapted from Sunderland et al. (1989). METHODS: We analyzed the CDT of 100 cognitively normal elderly aged 60 years or older. The CDT ("free-drawn") and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were administered to all participants. Six independent examiners scored the CDT of 30 participants to evaluate inter-rater reliability. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A score of 5 on the proposed algorithm ("Numbers in reverse order or concentrated"), equivalent to 5 points on the original Sunderland scale, was the most frequent (53.5%). The CDT specific algorithm method used had high inter-rater reliability (p画钟测验（Clock Drawing Test, CDT）是一款成本低廉、操作快捷且易于实施的认知功能评估工具，尤其适用于老年人群。该工具是广受认可的临床筛查工具，广泛用于认知障碍与痴呆的筛查工作。画钟测验存在多种施测方式，其计分流程亦存在差异。 研究目的：本研究旨在分析老年人群在画钟测验中的表现，并评估采用改编自Sunderland等人（1989年）的特定算法进行计分的画钟测验的评分者间信度。 研究方法：本研究纳入100名年龄≥60岁的认知正常老年人，对其完成的画钟测验进行分析。所有参与者均接受了自由绘制型画钟测验与简易精神状态检查表（Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE）的评估。由6名独立评分者对30名参与者的画钟测验结果进行评分，以评估评分者间信度。 结果与结论：在所提出的算法中，得分为5（对应原始Sunderland量表的5分，评定情况为「数字倒序或聚集」）的占比最高，达53.5%。本研究采用的特定画钟测验算法具有较高的评分者间信度（p