Development and validation of the NCGG-FAT Chinese version for community-dwelling older Taiwanese

Aim: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology functional assessment tool (NCGG-FAT) Chinese version among community-dwelling older Taiwanese. Method: In total, 40 community-living older adults aged ≥65 years with intact global cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination ≥24) were enrolled and received a neuropsychological assessment twice using the computerized NCGG-FAT Chinese version, with an interval of 30 days to examine test–retest reliability. Conventional neurocognitive assessments were performed for all study participants within a week after the first administration of the NCGG-FAT Chinese version to determine validity. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were employed to assess test–retest reliability, and the Pearson correlation coefficient evaluated the validity. Results: In total, 40 participants aged 69.8 ± 3.9 years with a mean education of 11.1 ± 4.2 years and MMSE of 28.5 ± 1.8 were enrolled. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed moderate-to-high validity between the conventional neurocognitive assessments and the NCGG-FAT Chinese version components (r = 0.509–0.606, P < 0.01 for all components). High reliability was also identified in the word recognition (immediate) score (ICC = 0.833, P < 0.001), Trail Making Tests part B (ICC = 0.709, P < 0.001) and Symbol Digit Substitution Task score (ICC = 0.850, P < 0.001), whereas word recall (delayed) score and Trail Making Tests part A showed moderate test–retest reliability. Conclusions: The NCGG-FAT Chinese version is a valid and reliable instrument to assess multiple dimensions of neurocognitive function of community-living Taiwanese, which may facilitate better community-based screening and intervention programs, particularly for international comparisons. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 1171–1176.