Mild Cognitive Impairment and Everyday Function: Evidence of Reduced Speed in Performing Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

Abstract

Objective: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may involve subtle functional losses that are not detected with typical self- or informant-report assessments of daily function. Information about the nature of functional difficulties in MCI can be used to augment common clinical assessment procedures, and aspects of function that are affected in MCI can serve as meaningful endpoints for intervention trials. Design: Cross-sectional case and comparison group study. Setting: University medical center. Participants: Fifty participants with MCI and 59 cognitively normal participants. Measurements: The authors compared the groups on dimensions of both speed and accuracy in performing instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), using a standardized Timed IADL measure that evaluates five functional domains commonly encountered in everyday life (telephone use, locating nutrition information on food labels, financial abilities, grocery shopping, medication management). RESULTS Show more