KR101332593B1 - Norm-based Cognitive Measuring and Evaluation System - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a norm-based computerized cognitive ability measurement and evaluation system and method. The cognitive ability measurement and evaluation system according to the present invention includes a test preparation unit, a cognitive ability measuring unit, a cognitive ability evaluation unit, and a database management unit. The system provides the normative data to determine the subject's cognitive ability level as a result of cognitive ability measurement and evaluation, and more accurately by eliminating the influence of the environment when measuring cognitive ability using the test preparation unit including the interface standardization module. Ensure cognitive abilities are measured and evaluated.

Description

Norm-based Cognitive Measuring and Evaluation System

The present invention relates to a system for measuring and evaluating cognitive abilities, and in particular, to determine whether a subject's cognitive ability level is normal or abnormal by using a computer-based cognitive ability measuring tool and evaluation tool based on criteria, and to determine a measurement result that does not affect the environment. It relates to the cognitive ability measurement and evaluation system presented.

Cognitive ability is the core of human intellectual ability and consists mainly of reasoning, memory, judgment, perception, and attention. Cognitive ability is a problem in stroke and traumatic brain injury patients, or in older people in their 40s and 50s. Since cognitive impairment causes abnormalities in memory, perception, problem solving ability, etc., the importance of rehabilitation therapy is very important.

Conventional cognitive measuring tools (eg SNSB, CERAD-K) provide normative data for cognitive measurement and evaluation using the tool, but 1) response speeds that are available only in computerized tools because measurements are performed on a handwritten basis There is a limitation in that it is impossible to measure cognitive ability such as

In addition, the existing computerized cognitive ability measuring tools do not provide a normative database, which makes it difficult to accurately evaluate the data. In other words, this method evaluates the cognitive abilities of new subjects by comparing them with predefined scores or average scores of subjects using existing tools. However, this method is not reliable because it compares with sample data that does not take into account gender, age, and education levels known to affect cognitive abilities.

Moreover, existing computerized cognitive training tools are focused on cognitive training and are limited to those that proceed after the steps of measuring and evaluating cognitive abilities that are problematic for the subjects.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, it is possible to determine the level of cognitive ability of the subject as normal or abnormal as a result of cognitive ability measurement and evaluation by providing the normative data, eliminating the influence of the environment when measuring cognitive ability We present a computerized cognitive ability measurement and evaluation system that presents measurement results.

To this end, the cognitive ability measurement and evaluation system according to an embodiment of the present invention provides the normative data to determine whether the subject's cognitive ability level is normal or abnormal as a result of the cognitive ability measurement and evaluation. In order to present the measurement result without the influence of the environment, the interface is standardized to remove the difference in the result value that may occur in different environments (screen size, sound intensity, and input tool difference) when measuring cognitive ability. Adaptation steps are taken and cognitive abilities are effectively measured and evaluated using computerized measurement tools.

The cognitive ability measurement and evaluation system according to the present invention makes it possible to accurately determine the cognitive ability level of the examinee without being influenced by the environment by using computerized measurement tools and normative data.

1 is a view showing a schematic configuration diagram of a cognitive ability measurement and evaluation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a flowchart illustrating a cognitive ability measurement and evaluation method using a cognitive ability measurement and evaluation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the accompanying drawings and the following description are only possible embodiments of the cognitive ability measurement and evaluation system and the cognitive ability measurement and evaluation method using the same, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited to the above.

In the criterion-based cognitive ability measuring and evaluation system according to the present invention, when a subject performs a computerized test for measuring his / her cognitive ability, the result is compared with the norm (measurement results of normal subjects having no cognitive problems) on the system. It is configured to provide information about the subject's level of cognition.

Specifically, the system comprehensively evaluates (1) subjects' cognitive abilities by dividing them into seven cognitive domains for a short time, (2) provides the subjects with information on the overall cognitive level of the subjects, and (3) examines the subject's cognitive abilities. It is aimed at conducting a cognitive skills training program if the capacity is out of normal or for visiting a medical institution for the diagnosis of an expert on cognitive status (dementia or MCI).

The system consists of criteria-based computerized cognitive literacy measurement tools and evaluation tools. In contrast to the prior art mentioned above, the system has the following advantages. Firstly, by providing the normative data, it is possible to determine whether the examinee's cognitive level is normal or abnormal as a result of cognitive ability measurement and evaluation. Second, we present the measurement results that eliminated the environmental impact. In other words, the interface is standardized to remove the difference in the result value that can occur in different environments (screen size, sound intensity, input tool difference) when measuring the cognitive ability, and the examinee undergoes the adaptation of the measurement environment. Try to eliminate the impact. Finally, it uses a computerized environment to provide a new cognitive measuring and evaluation system that has not been used previously.

First, referring to Table 1 below, the normative database will be described first.

The normative database is used as an index for interpreting the test results of the subjects who measured the cognitive ability in this system, and is made in the following order.

First, the age groups that are the subjects of the cognitive ability measurement and evaluation system are divided into sections according to age, education, and gender. In Table 1, it is divided into 5 year units.

Next, assign a number of people to obtain statistically significant norms and variances (or standard deviations) for each cell, and select a health screening questionnaire among the subjects that fit the characteristics (age, gender, and educational background) of each cell. Only those with no history of psychiatric or neurological disorders found to affect cognitive function should be selected.

For the selected subjects in each section, the cognitive measurement tool of this system is performed to obtain the results, and the mean and variance (or standard deviation) of each result are applied to the normative database.

For example, the “Calculate” test, which will be described later, is included in the system. For example, “Average Cognitive Ability Men aged 65-70 years / 12 years of education must fit an average of 8 out of 12 questions and average response per problem. The time should be 7.5 ± 1.7 seconds ”. Therefore, if such a criterion is completed, the system can determine whether the computational ability is impaired by comparing the noon answer and the response time with the above criterion for the test subjects of the group using the system. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the present system will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1.

1 is a view showing a schematic configuration diagram of a cognitive ability measurement and evaluation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the cognitive ability measurement and evaluation system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a test preparation unit 10, a cognitive ability measurement unit 20, a cognitive ability evaluation unit 30, and a database manager ( 40).

The test preparation unit 10 configures the system environment before the actual cognitive ability test tool is executed. The test preparation unit 10 includes the interface standardization module 12, the measurement environment application module 14, and the examinee information management module 16. It is configured to include.

The interface standardization module 12 detects hardware used by the examinee and normalizes the size of the visual stimulus through the monitor and the auditory stimulus through the speaker.

The measurement environment adaptation module 14 serves to help the examinee to adapt to the audiovisual stimulus and to adapt to the input environment through the click exercise.

The examinee information management module 16 receives personal information related to the age, gender, and education of the examinee, and stores the information in the examinee database.

Cognitive ability measuring unit 20 is actually composed of a tool that the examinee performs to measure the cognitive ability. That is, the cognitive measuring tool module 22 includes a cognitive measuring method such as 100 won click 24, word position storage 26, circle click 28, or the like.

The cognitive ability evaluation unit 30 evaluates the ability of each examinee's cognitive area by using the measurement result of the examinee obtained through the measurement tool, calculates a comprehensive score, and evaluates the examinee's overall cognitive ability, And a result scoring module 32, a result analysis module 34 for each cognitive region, and a comprehensive score module 36.

The test result scoring module 32 organizes different types of result values (for example, reaction rates, reaction times, and whether noon answers, etc.) for each test tool. The summarized results are stored in the subject database.

The result description module 34 for each cognitive region compares the results of each measurement tool stored in the subject database with the normative database and interprets the results. Each tool has different targets for comparing the percentage of noon answers, average rate of response, etc., and different interpretation methods when compared with the normative database, so this role is performed separately in this module. It can be arranged to the level that can be finally delivered to the examinee and stored in the examinee database.

The comprehensive score module 36 calculates a comprehensive cognitive ability score by using each measurement tool result analysis value obtained from the result analysis module 34 for each cognitive region. This composite score is provided to the examinee along with the results of each area and serves as a basis for judging whether the examinee finally has a problem with his or her cognitive ability.

The database management unit 40 is composed of a test subject database 42 storing the test results of the test subject's measurement tools related to the subject's personal information, a cognitive ability evaluation result for each region, and a normative database 40 serving as a basis for evaluating the cognitive ability of each tool. do.

A cognitive ability measurement and evaluation method using the cognitive ability measurement and evaluation system having such a configuration will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a cognitive ability measurement and evaluation method using a cognitive ability measurement and evaluation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, when the first program is executed using the system, the interface standardization step is performed (100). That is, the screen resolution of the user is automatically recognized and simple information of the system such as the screen size is input from the examinee, so that an audiovisual stimulus suitable for the user can be provided.

Next, a measurement environment adaptation practice performing step is provided (120). In this step, the examinee should perform interface adaptation exercises such as audiovisual stimulation adaptation exercises and mouse clicks in case the subject is unfamiliar with the computer input device implemented in the system.

Next, an examinee information registration step of registering information such as age, education, and gender of the examinee is performed (140).

When the subject information is registered as described above, a cognitive measuring tool for each cognitive area is performed (160). All measurement tools provide animations and sound descriptions before performing, and the examinee will listen to the description one or more times and begin measuring until they are familiar with the tool. If the examinee does not fully understand the instructions, the instructions can be heard repeatedly.

The following describes the cognitive measuring tools for each cognitive area adopted by this system.

Psychomotor speed measurement

As a test to exclude the difference according to the examinee's click ability, the "fast click" task of measuring the number of clicks by quickly clicking the mouse for 30 seconds can be performed first.

In the second test, a simple response rate is measured using the “100-click” task, which has one stimulus and one response. The examinee should focus on his gaze at the center of the screen and immediately click when a stimulus (picture of 100 won coin) appears. For 2, 3, or 4 seconds, a cross-shaped gaze is presented randomly, and when the gaze disappears, a target 100 won coin is presented immediately. The subject may not know when the stimulus appears, so he should be prepared to react and keep his eye on the gaze point. The first seven times of the examination may present the stimulus in the center of the same screen as the gaze point, while the second seven may cause the stimulus to be presented at various positions in the quadrant of the visual field.

Next is a test that measures both mental exercise speed and executive capacity (frontal lobe function), and performs a “500 won click” task, a go / no ~ go task to evaluate the inhibitory control function that affects information processing speed. do. The examinee fixed his gaze at the gaze presented at the center of the screen, but did not click when a 100 won coin, which was a stimulus that had to react in the previous task (clicked 100 won), did not click. Should only be clicked quickly when appears.

Memory measurement

Perform the “Word Location Memory 1” task of evaluating verbal and visual memory. Present nine words in nine columns of 3x3 columns, one word at a time, and have the examinee remember the words and their locations. After that, the presenting word and the non-presenting word (foil) are presented one word at a time, and each word is answered whether or not it is present and its position. The peculiarity of the word position memory test is that the long-term memory of the subject is measured by evaluating the delayed recall ability (word position memory 2) after 10 minutes.

Attention measurement

First, in order to measure selective attention and continuous attention at the same time, the subject's gaze is fixed and the stimulus is moved. The examinee notices the various shapes moving in a line from left to right on the screen and must click immediately when the circle passes between the arrows in the center of the screen. That is, the target stimulus must be found among the non-target stimuli, and the attention must be selectively maintained and responded to the target stimulus as the stimulus sequentially moves toward the target point.

Second, they perform the “click to change” task, which requires the subject to move their eyes along the moving stimulus to measure selective and sustained attention and suppressive control. The examinee must keep track of the eye moving on the screen in an irregular trajectory that was noticed in the previous test (clicking the circle) and then click quickly as soon as the circle changes to a donut shape (a hollow circle). You should only click when it turns into a donut, and not when it turns into the opposite shape (a hollow, hollow edge).

Language Proficiency Measurement

Presents a 7-character string consisting of the target letter and the disturbing letter with colored shadow play, finds the letter corresponding to the name of the picture, and clicks it in order to enter an answer. To perform. Each question may consist of two syllables or three syllables, and may include both living and nonliving things, but may not include foreign words. If you've clicked incorrectly or want to change your answer, you can edit it by clicking the Edit button at the bottom of the correct answer window. After clicking all the letters in the picture name, click the “Next” button next to the “Edit” button. Click to go to the next question. Each question has a 15-second timeout period, and after that time, you will automatically move on to the next question without pressing the “Next” button.

Computing power measurement

Computational ability is evaluated by basic calculation composed of formulas of basic arithmetic operations and logical calculation presented in the form of stories related to daily life. First, “calculate” refers to digit problems (e.g. 7 + 2) and two-digit problems (e.g. 23+), unless each arithmetic association (+,-, ×, ÷) involves rounding up or down. 14) and a two-digit problem (e.g. 15 + 38) that requires rounding up or down. It can be composed of a total of 12 questions, each time limit can be 15 seconds, and when the time limit is exceeded, it can automatically move to the next problem.

Second, "Calculate money" sets out common situations in everyday life (eg, buying things from vending machines) and presents the problem, including the number of things in the story and the price of the goods. Problems can consist of problems that can be solved using only one of the four arithmetic operations (e.g., multiplication) and mixed-sum problems that require two or more (e.g., multiplication and addition). A total of four situations (10 problems) can be presented, and each problem can have a 25 second timeout.

Spatio-temporal capacity measurement

First, the ventral pathway performs a “determine equality” task to assess. The examinee compares the two stimuli and makes a judgment about whether the shape matches, regardless of color or size.

Secondly, to evaluate the dorsal route, we perform the “find another picture” task, a two-dimensional mental rotation task. The examinee must find and respond to one figure rotated in a symmetrical state unlike the other three figures rotated in a plane among the four figures presented.

Third, perform the “Follow Line” task to evaluate the ventral and ventral paths simultaneously. The examinee sees a picture of two red balls and one blue ball on various curves, and responds by judging whether the two red balls are on the same line.

Execution ability measurement

Implement a “choose card” task to evaluate executive control functions that promote attention for relevant stimuli and suppress attention for unrelated stimuli. The card selection task consists of three steps: In the first step, present two blue cards each with a number, and click on the card with the larger number regardless of the number.

In the second step, present two red cards each with a number, and unlike the blue card step, click on the card with the larger number, regardless of the size of the number.

Finally, in the third step, present a mixture of blue and red card pairs with the numbers from the previous two tasks, and ask the examinee to remember the rules according to the color of the card and select the correct card.

After all of these tests, the step of presenting the scores for each area and the comprehensive score to the examinee is performed (180). In this case, the test results are expressed in a comprehensive score and scores for each of seven areas in a form that does not require an expert's interpretation, and the level of cognitive ability is displayed in comparison with the norm.

Based on this result, the examinee can obtain information on whether he / she needs cognitive training and what cognitive area needs training.

Although the test time may vary depending on the degree of acquaintance or reaction time of the subject, the test may be designed not to exceed 30 minutes including the task description listening time.

10: test preparation unit 20: cognitive ability measurement unit
30: cognitive ability evaluation unit 40: database management unit

Claims (9)

An interface module for detecting hardware used by a user and standardizing a stimulus and an input method to be provided to the user;
A computerized cognitive ability measuring unit comprising a task for measuring the cognitive ability of the user for each cognitive area;
A normative database for storing cognitive ability measurement results standardized by gender, education level, and age of the subject for cognitive ability measurement area and task; And
A cognitive ability evaluation unit for generating a criterion that is a measure of cognitive disability through statistical analysis based on the normative database, evaluating the cognitive ability of the user measured by the cognitive ability measuring unit based on the norm and outputting a test result table Including,
A measurement environment adaptation module for providing the user with an adaptive training stimulus related to cognitive ability measurement so as to adapt to a stimulus and an input method standardized by the interface module; And
And an input module for receiving a user input signal for the provided stimulus.
delete The method of claim 1,
And a test subject database for storing the user's personal information and cognitive ability measurement results.
The method of claim 1,
The cognitive ability measuring unit,
The quick-click task to measure psychomotor speed, the task of clicking a specific picture to measure attention, the task of remembering specific word positions to measure memory, the task of finding a specific picture name, the task of calculating to measure computation, Adopt a task for measuring cognitive abilities by cognitive domain that includes one or more of the following tasks: determining whether the picture is the same for measuring spatiotemporal ability, finding another picture, following the continuous line, and selecting a card for measuring executive power. Norm-based Cognitive Measurement and Assessment System. The method of claim 1,
The cognitive ability evaluation unit,
A scoring module that scores the cognitive ability of the user for each cognitive region;
A result analysis module for each cognitive region that compares the score scored by the scoring module with data stored in the normalized database and interprets a result of the cognitive ability of the user; And
A criterion-based cognitive ability measurement and evaluation system comprising a comprehensive score output module for calculating a comprehensive cognitive ability score of the user based on the results analyzed in the result analysis module for each cognitive region. Detecting hardware used by a user;
Standardizing a stimulus and input scheme to be provided to a user based on the sensed hardware;
Providing the user with an adaptive training stimulus related to the cognitive ability measurement to adapt the standardized stimulus and the input method;
Measuring the cognitive ability of the user by providing the user with the standardized stimulus and input interface; And
And evaluating the measured cognitive ability of the user based on a prepared normative database.
The method according to claim 6,
The normative database stores the results of standard cognitive ability measurement based on gender, education, and age for each cognitive ability measurement area. The method of claim 7, wherein
And storing the personal information received from the user in an examinee database.
The method of claim 7, wherein
The cognitive ability measuring step,
The quick-click task to measure psychomotor speed, the task of clicking a specific picture to measure attention, the task of remembering specific word positions to measure memory, the task of finding a specific picture name, the task of calculating to measure computation, Adopt a task for measuring cognitive abilities by cognitive domain that includes one or more of the following tasks: determining whether the picture is the same for measuring spatiotemporal ability, finding another picture, following the continuous line, and selecting a card for measuring executive power. A method of measuring and evaluating norm-based cognitive abilities.

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