A new scoring system and norms for, and the performance of cognitively-unimpaired older adults on the cube copying test.

Background: Cube copying test is often used as screening test for dementia. However, there is a paucity of an effectively scoring system, and very little is known about how healthy older adults perform on this test. In this study, we present a modified scoring system for the wire-cube copying, evaluate the performance of cognitively unimpaired elderly individuals, and generate norms on community-dwelling older adults.

Materials and Methods: The task consisted of copying a three-dimensional printed cube (i.e., wire-cube) of size 2.5 cm3 . The scoring system devised by Maeshma et al. was modified and used. The target population consisted of cognitively normal individuals aged ≥65 years living in a predefined geographical area.

Results: In this study, there were 511 participants (62% females) aged 69 ± 7.2 years. Of the 295 figures available, 51 were rejected. Among the candidates with acceptable cubes, 182 (74.5%) had ≥9 years of education. Of the 51 rejected cubes, 37 (72.5%) participants had <9 years of education. Education was found to be significantly correlated with composite score (P < 0.001) whereas age and sex had no correlation. The total score as well as subgroup scores of the cubes were correlating well with Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) as well as Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (ACE) composite scores (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion: Good correlation was found between composite scores and subscores with most of the ACE parameters. The test can be used as a rapid screening test for dementia in view of its good correlation with ACE composite scores and subscores; it also has the advantage of being independent of culture and language.