MMSE Evaluation Tool for Detecting Cognitive Impairment

Running head: PUBLIC HEALTH
PUBLIC HEALTH
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The Folstein test or the Mini-mental state examination is an evaluation tool that is used in
order to detect the level of cognitive impairment (Arevalo‐Rodriguez et al., 2017). It was
developed in the year 1975 by a group of researchers who aimed to develop an evaluation tool
that would help in successfully differentiating an organic psychiatric patient from a functional
one. It comprises of a questionnaire that includes 30 questions and based upon the response the
degree of cognitive impairment is diagnosed by the clinicians and researchers. The MMSE
evaluation tool is used for the screening of dementia and detecting behavioral changes in the
patients. The tool also effectively helps in the efficient tracking of the changes in the patient’s
behavior so as to understand the level of improvement manifested through the use of medication
and appropriate interventions.
Use:
The test is conducted within a time-duration of approximately 5 to 10 minutes. The test
specifically focuses on the ability of the patients to recall a particular incident, time taken to
respond to a question, the level of focus and concentration and the ability to perform a simple
calculation. It further evaluates the patient’s ability to follow simple commands and the speech
orientation. It should be noted here that a score equivalent to 24 points or more represents null
cognitive impairment features. A score range between 18-23 represents mild cognitive
impairment, whereas a score range between 0-17 represents severe cognitive impairment and
incidence of dementia that needs further evaluation (Yajima et al., 2014).