mini cog
Instructions for the Mini-Cog Test
Page 1 of 2
Instructions for the Mini-Cog Test
Administration
the Mini-Cog test is a 3-minute instrument to screen for cognitive impairment in older adults in the primary care setting. The Mini-Cog uses a three-item recall test for memory and a simply scored clock-drawing test (CDT). The latter serves as an “informative distractor,” helping to clarify scores when the memory recall score is intermediate. The
Mini-Cog was as effective as or better than established screening tests in both an epidemiologic survey in a mainstream sample and a multi-ethnic, multilingual population comprising many individuals of low socioeconomic status and education level. In comparative tests, the Mini-Cog was at least twice as fast as the Mini-Mental State
Examination. The Mini-Cog is less affected by subject ethnicity, language, and education, and can detect a variety of different dementias. Moreover, the Mini-Cog detects many people with mild cognitive impairment (cognitive impairment too mild to meet diagnostic criteria for dementia).
Scoring (see figure 1)
1 point for each recalled word
Score clock drawing as Normal (the patient places the correct time and the clock appears grossly normal) or Abnormal
Score
0
1-2
1-2
3
Positive for cognitive impairment
Abnormal CDT then positive for cognitive impairment
Normal CDT then negative for cognitive impairment
Negative screen for dementia (no need to score CDT)
http://geriatrics.uthscsa.edu/educational/med_students/minicog_admin.htm
2/13/2008
Instructions for the Mini-Cog Test
Page 2 of 2
Reference
Borson S. The mini-cog: a cognitive “vitals signs” measure for dementia screening in multi-lingual elderly
Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2000; 15(11):1021.
http://geriatrics.uthscsa.edu/educational/med_students/minicog_admin.htm
2/13/2008
Pt. Name:______________________ DOB:_______________________
Date:__________________________
Instructions
Inside the
Page 1 of 2
Instructions for the Mini-Cog Test
Administration
the Mini-Cog test is a 3-minute instrument to screen for cognitive impairment in older adults in the primary care setting. The Mini-Cog uses a three-item recall test for memory and a simply scored clock-drawing test (CDT). The latter serves as an “informative distractor,” helping to clarify scores when the memory recall score is intermediate. The
Mini-Cog was as effective as or better than established screening tests in both an epidemiologic survey in a mainstream sample and a multi-ethnic, multilingual population comprising many individuals of low socioeconomic status and education level. In comparative tests, the Mini-Cog was at least twice as fast as the Mini-Mental State
Examination. The Mini-Cog is less affected by subject ethnicity, language, and education, and can detect a variety of different dementias. Moreover, the Mini-Cog detects many people with mild cognitive impairment (cognitive impairment too mild to meet diagnostic criteria for dementia).
Scoring (see figure 1)
1 point for each recalled word
Score clock drawing as Normal (the patient places the correct time and the clock appears grossly normal) or Abnormal
Score
0
1-2
1-2
3
Positive for cognitive impairment
Abnormal CDT then positive for cognitive impairment
Normal CDT then negative for cognitive impairment
Negative screen for dementia (no need to score CDT)
http://geriatrics.uthscsa.edu/educational/med_students/minicog_admin.htm
2/13/2008
Instructions for the Mini-Cog Test
Page 2 of 2
Reference
Borson S. The mini-cog: a cognitive “vitals signs” measure for dementia screening in multi-lingual elderly
Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2000; 15(11):1021.
http://geriatrics.uthscsa.edu/educational/med_students/minicog_admin.htm
2/13/2008
Pt. Name:______________________ DOB:_______________________
Date:__________________________
Instructions
Inside the