Validation of Chinese Version of SKT (Syndrom Kurztest): A Short Cognitive Performance Test for the Assessment of Memory and Attention

Abstract

(1) Background: The SKT (Syndrom Kurztest) is a short cognitive performance test that consists of nine subtests and assesses deficits of memory and attention. This study was aimed at exploring the SKT target population in China and evaluating the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the SKT; (2) Methods: A total of 1624 patients aged over 60 years old were recruited in the Sixth People’s Hospital in Shanghai. The SKT raw scores were recorded. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was determined to assess the internal consistency reliability of the SKT. Principal factor analysis was performed to evaluate the factor structure of the SKT subtests. Correlation analyses were carried out to confirm the relationship between the modified SKT and standardized neuropsychological tests. The influence of age and educational years on SKT raw scores were detected using multiple regression analyses. Validations of the SKT subtests for detecting Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) from Negative Control(NC)(were determined by Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves; (3) Results: The internal consistency among the subtests’ scores was high: Cronbach’s α = 0.827. The SKT memory test provided a high predictive validity in detecting aMCI with a sensitivity of 90.1% and specificity of 79.3%. (4) Conclusions: Based on our experience with 1624 elderly patients in Shanghai, the Chinese version of SKT has good stability and may be a reliable and valid screening tool for detecting MCI.