چكيده لاتين
This first aim of the present study was normalization and evaluation of the psychometric properties for the Verbal and Action Episodic Memory Test (VAEMT). Another aim was also to examine performance differences in verbal and action memory across three age groups: young adults (18-39), middle-aged adults (40-64), and older adults (65-85). Additionally, given the significance of episodic memory impairments in diagnosing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in middle and older age groups, a diagnostic criterion was proposed by comparing the performance of individuals with and without MCI in these two age groups. The study included 93 young adults, 104 middle-aged adults (93 without MCI, 16 with MCI), and 88 older adults (67 without MCI, 21 with MCI), who were selected through convenience sampling during 6 months in 2024.
To assess test reliability, the test-retest method was used, with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for various indices ranging between 0.7 and 0.8. Concurrent validity for the verbal section was calculated using Pearsonʹs correlation with the Logical Memory subscale of the Wechsler Memory Scale-III, yielding a coefficient of 0.7. Diagnostic validity was examined by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis, and optimal sensitivity, specificity, and cutoff points were determined for six scoring indices: free recall (verbal/action), cued recall (verbal/action), and recognition (verbal/action) for both middle-aged and older adults. Overall, sensitivity for the middle-aged group ranged from 0.8 to 1, and specificity ranged from 0.6 to 0.8. In the older adult group, sensitivity ranged from 0.7 to 0.9, and specificity ranged from 0.6 to 0.76. Verbal indices in both groups and action recognition in the older adult group showed higher diagnostic power. Percentile ranks and T-scores were also calculated as norms for the Verbal and Action Episodic Memory Test.
The study further compared memory performances in the three age groups, concerning differences in verbal and action memory, as well as the enactment and cueing effects. The results indicated that there is a decline in episodic memory performance with age. However, across all age groups, action memory performance was significantly and consistently better than verbal memory performance. This was even the case in older adults and individuals with MCI. Concerning the enactment and cueing effects, older adults benefited more from these memory supports at encoding and retrieval, although the enactment effect was even more effective than cueing effect.
In conclusion, the findings suggest that the Verbal and Action Episodic Memory Test is a reliable tool with acceptable validity, sensitivity, and specificity. It can be used as an effective diagnostic instrument alongside other tools for identifying MCI and episodic memory dysfunction, providing valuable criteria for optimized diagnosis.
