Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Modified MMSE (3MS): A Psychometric Comparison and Normative Data

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE; M. F. Folstein, S. E. Folstein, & P. R. McHugh, 1975) and the Modified MMSE (E. L. Teng & H. C. Chui, 1987) were compared psychometrically. In this study, 525 community-dwelling participants, aged 65-89, were divided into 2 groups: no cognitive impairment (NCI; n 406) and Alzheimer's disease (n = 119). Both tests yielded comparable reliability estimates. Fewer years of education decreased specificity and increased sensitivity, whereas increasing age primarily decreased specificity. It is concluded that although the 2 tests produce comparable effects, the inclusion of a verbal fluency test would increase the sensitivity of the MMSE. Normative data for the NCI group, stratified for 2 age levels (65-79 and 80-89) and 2 educational levels (0-8 and 9+ years), are presented.