Application of a Decisional Capacity Assessment for Older Research Participants with Cognitive Impairment

Xu, Ling; Fields, Noelle L.; Westmore, Megan R.; Daniel, Kathryn M.; Troutman, Brooke A.

doi:10.3390/bs13090767

Open AccessBrief Report

Application of a Decisional Capacity Assessment for Older Research Participants with Cognitive Impairment

by

Ling Xu

^1,*

,

Noelle L. Fields

¹,

Megan R. Westmore

¹

,

Kathryn M. Daniel

² and

Brooke A. Troutman

³

¹

School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010, USA

²

College of Nursing and Health Innovation, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010, USA

³

McDermott Library, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO 80840, USA

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 767; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13090767

Submission received: 14 July 2023 / Revised: 6 September 2023 / Accepted: 8 September 2023 / Published: 14 September 2023

Download Review Reports Versions Notes

Abstract

Decisional capacity assessment is important for older adult participants who have cognitive impairment. This paper reports the implementation of the University of California, San Diego Brief Assessment of Capacity to Consent (UBACC) and its potential for practice and research. Nine of the 10 items remained to use except for adapting the last item. Approximately 130 older adults with cognitive impairment completed the UBACC screening. Item-by-item descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), group comparisons of each item, as well as total sum scores of the UBACC were conducted. Results showed that the items that were most often answered correctly included item #10 (participant will be paid), item #4 (study is voluntary), and item #5 (can withdraw at any time). Conversely, the items that were most often answered incorrectly included item #9 (not any benefit potentially), item #7 (potential risk or discomfort), and item #6 (tasks during participation). Respondents with mild cognitive impairment had higher correct answer rates than those with advanced cognitive impairment. The UBACC screening tool has relative utility for older participants with cognitive impairment.

Keywords: assessment; decision-making capacity; older adults with cognitive impairment; UBACC

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Xu, L.; Fields, N.L.; Westmore, M.R.; Daniel, K.M.; Troutman, B.A. Application of a Decisional Capacity Assessment for Older Research Participants with Cognitive Impairment. Behav. Sci. 2023, 13, 767. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13090767

AMA Style

Xu L, Fields NL, Westmore MR, Daniel KM, Troutman BA. Application of a Decisional Capacity Assessment for Older Research Participants with Cognitive Impairment. Behavioral Sciences. 2023; 13(9):767. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13090767

Chicago/Turabian Style

Xu, Ling, Noelle L. Fields, Megan R. Westmore, Kathryn M. Daniel, and Brooke A. Troutman. 2023. "Application of a Decisional Capacity Assessment for Older Research Participants with Cognitive Impairment" Behavioral Sciences 13, no. 9: 767. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13090767

APA Style

Xu, L., Fields, N. L., Westmore, M. R., Daniel, K. M., & Troutman, B. A. (2023). Application of a Decisional Capacity Assessment for Older Research Participants with Cognitive Impairment. Behavioral Sciences, 13(9), 767. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13090767

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Menu

Application of a Decisional Capacity Assessment for Older Research Participants with Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

Share and Cite

Article Metrics

Article Access Statistics

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI