Development of Arabic Computer-Based Screening Tool for Early Detection of Dementia

Abstract

Accurate diagnostic tests rooted in neuropsychology are crucial for the detection of dementia in the elderly. Several studies have reported that detecting dementia at early stages is essential in enhancing the effectiveness of therapeutic intervention and delaying the disorder's progression. However, most neuropsychological studies in clinical practice require competent physicians' involvement. Advancements in technology have enabled the computerizing of screening tools, providing a faster and more convenient way to assess the common symptoms of dementia. However, currently, there is no Arabic computerized dementia screening software. Therefore, this study is carried out to present a computerized Arabic assessment tool that is versatile and easy to use. The proposed screening software was developed using MATLAB and consists of 28 questions with a total possible score of 47 points. A test was performed to evaluate four sensitive cognitive functions (memory, attention, visual and naming, and executive function). The computerized Arabic dementia screening tool was tested on five healthy subjects (4 males and 1 female, ages $61.80\pm 6.53$) to assess its practicality and ease of use. All participants were able to complete the tests on their own and reported no technical or linguistic difficulty. The proposed test has the potential in primary healthcare clinics, as it is easy to administer and can be supervised by healthcare providers with minimal training.