Cognitive Screening in Older Adults: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study Using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)

Abstract

Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate cognitive functioning in older adults using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in a sample from Bangalore, India. Method: A convenience sampling method was used. A total of 71 anonymized MMSE scores were collected through convenience sampling at Bangalore Neurocentre in Bengaluru, India. The sample included 38 males and 33 females. Educational backgrounds varied: 15 participants had an education below Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC), 19 had completed SSLC, and 37 had a degree. The data were subjected to one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis. Result: The study revealed no significant differences in MMSE scores between males and females, but a significant difference in MMSE scores among educational levels, with a medium effect size. Specifically, older adults with an academic background below SSLC scored lower than those with a degree. Additionally, there is a significant difference in the sub-scale of orientation, registration, and language in the MMSE among educational levels, with a medium effect size, in which older adults with an educational background of a degree scored greater than individuals with below SSLC. There is a significant relationship between education and components of MMSE, with a correlation coefficient ranging from a moderate to a strong relationship. Education plays a crucial role in cognitive functions, and individuals with higher education backgrounds tend to perform better in various cognitive domains.