Normative data for the 12-item Buschke memory task in the Quebec-French population aged 50 and over.

Abstract:

<p><b>OBJECTIVE: </b>The 12-item Buschke memory test is used to assess verbal episodic memory in adults and older adults. However, there is no normative data for this test adjusted to the older Quebec-French population. The aim of the study was to produce normative data for the 12-item Buschke for the Quebec-French population aged 50 and older.</p><p><b>METHOD: </b>The normative sample consisted of 172 healthy French-speaking participants aged 50-89 years, from the Province of Quebec (Canada). The influence of age, years of formal education, and sex on five 12-item Buschke scores were analyzed. Based on the distribution of scores, normative data were developed as Z-scores equation, regression equation, and percentiles.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>Age, years of formal education, and sex were all associated with performance. Equations to calculate Z-scores were provided for the free recall trial 1 and the free recall trials 1-3. Stratified percentiles were provided for the delayed free recall and total recall 1-3.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS: </b>The normative data for the 12-item Buschke improve the accuracy of clinicians to detect verbal episodic memory impairments in Quebec's aging population.</p>