Assessing the feasibility of using the Dalhousie Computerized Attention Battery to measure postoperative cognitive dysfunction in older patients.

PURPOSE: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction is difficult to predict and diagnose, and can have severe consequences in the long term. The purpose of our study was to examine the feasibility of using a computerised test battery, the Dalhousie Computerized Assessment Battery in the perioperative clinic to detect cognitive changes after surgery.

METHODS: Fifty patients were recruited for this study. Patients completed the Dalhousie Computerized Assessment Battery and tests of general cognition, mood and pain at baseline and at three months postoperatively.

RESULTS: This pilot study had a screening rate (85.4%) and low attrition rate (12%). At baseline, patients exhibited no significant cognitive differences compared to a normative dataset. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction incidence was 2.7% on Montreal Cognitive Assessment, 13.6% with Dalhousie Computerized Assessment Battery and 36.3% based on subjective reports.

CONCLUSION: Computerised cognitive testing in the perioperative setting proved feasible. Deficits in spatial working memory and dual tasks may be most compromised by surgically related variables.