Psychometric Properties of the Malay Version of the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment for Geriatrics (M-LOTCA-G) Among the Malaysian Elderly Population

Abstract

Current cognitive screening tests are difficult to use due to their deficit in cultural and conceptual significance and translation into other languages. The purpose of this study was to translate the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment for Geriatrics (LOTCA-G) into Malay language and test its reliability and validity for assessing cognitive deficit among institutional elderly who undergo occupational therapy. The study was based on a single group test–retest design of 52 selected subjects (among the elderly). Cronbach's alpha values were used to examine the reliability of the instrument. Convergent validity was also assessed by comparing the adapted Malay version to the original English version for any inconsistencies and abnormality in interpretation. This study concluded that the Malay version of the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment for Geriatrics is reliable as the overall Cronbach's alpha value was more than .90. This study also indicated that both the adapted Malay version and the original English versions of the instruments were consistent in their performance in cognitive components. The findings pointed out that the Malay version of the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment for Geriatrics is appropriate and reliable in identifying deficits in cognitive components in relation to occupational performance for the Malaysian elderly population.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank Professor Dr. Noomi Katz for the permission to use LOTCA-G. We also thank all subjects who took part in the study.

Notes

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