Efficient labor- and cost-effective method: Validation of a paper-pencil group cognitive assessment for older adults.

Aim: With increasing rates of cognitive impairment in aging populations, efficient labor- and cost-effective screening methods are essential. The Paper-Pencil Group Cognitive Assessment (PAPLICA) is an innovative tool designed to assess cognitive function in groups, unlike traditional one-on-one cognitive assessments, saving labor and time. This study evaluated the reliability, validity, and accuracy of the PAPLICA for identifying cognitive impairment.

Methods: This study included 178 older Japanese adults (40 men, 138 women; mean age: 75.54 years, range: 65-91). Cognitive function was assessed using the PAPLICA 1 week prior and Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J) 1 week later.

Results: The PAPLICA demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.79) and strong validity (r = 0.77, MoCA-J). The optimal cut-off point of 113/114 yielded a sensitivity of 81 %, specificity of 82 %, Youden's index of 0.63, and area under the curve of 0.88 for identifying cognitive impairment.

Conclusion: The PAPLICA is a reliable and valid cognitive assessment tool that satisfies the growing demand for efficient labor- and cost-effective screening in an aging society, offering a promising solution for large-scale cognitive screening.