Dynamic Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment-Geriatric Version (DLOTCA-G): assessing change in cognitive performance.

OBJECTIVE We studied the internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the new Dynamic Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment-Geriatric Version (DLOTCA-G), a dynamic version of the Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment-Geriatric Version (LOTCA-G), and examined the properties of the mediation system. METHOD Participants included 61 clients hospitalized after stroke in three rehabilitation centers (mean age = 77.6 yr, standard deviation [SD] = 6.2) and 52 healthy control participants (mean age = 77.8 yr, SD = 6.4). All participants were assessed with the DLOTCA-G. RESULTS Internal consistency reliability showed moderate to high α coefficient levels in all domains (αs = .68-.85) except the Memory domain (α = .26). Both groups benefitted from mediation, but the stroke clients needed more concrete levels of mediation (Levels 3-5). CONCLUSION The addition of mediation to the LOTCA-G is effective in providing insights into clients' cognitive status and learning potential. Our findings are similar to the results of the validation study for the DLOTCA for adults and support the use and benefits of the dynamic version.