Psychology RootsShort Portable Mental Status Questionnaire
Here in this post, we are sharing the “Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire”. You can read psychometric and Author information. We have thousands of Scales and questionnaires in our collection (See Scales and Questionnaires). You can demand us any scale and questionnaires related to psychology through our community, and we will provide you with a short time. Keep visiting Psychology Roots.
About Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire
Scale Name
Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire
Author Details
Eric Pfeiffer
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ), developed by Eric Pfeiffer in 1975, is a 10-item clinician-administered screening tool designed to rapidly assess cognitive deficits in institutionalized and community-dwelling elderly individuals. Published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (1975), the SPMSQ detects organic intellectual impairment and its severity, building on the Mental Status Questionnaire (MSQ) by combining items and increasing difficulty (e.g., requiring all parts of multi-component questions to be correct). It evaluates short- and long-term memory, orientation, current event knowledge, and mathematical ability.
Administered in ~2 minutes, the SPMSQ scores the number of errors (0–10), with unanswered items counted as errors. Scores are adjusted for race (Black vs. others) and education (≤grade school, ≤high school, >high school) to reflect impairment relative to a 90th percentile threshold. For white respondents with some high school, cutoffs are: 0–2 errors (intact), 3–4 (mild impairment), 5–7 (moderate), 8–10 (severe). Adjustments add 1 error for grade school education or Black race, subtract 1 for post-high school education. Pfeiffer suggests >4 errors indicate significant impairment. The SPMSQ was validated with elderly samples (mean age ≈ 65–85 years, mixed gender, U.S.-based), showing good sensitivity to cognitive decline. It is used in geriatrics and primary care to screen cognitive impairment. Access requires permission from Journal of the American Geriatrics Society or the author.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the SPMSQ from Pfeiffer (1975) or Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (elderly adults 65+ in institutional or community settings) that the assessment screens cognitive function, emphasizing confidentiality and voluntary participation.
- Administer the 10-item scale by a trained clinician in clinical or community settings, recording errors with strict accuracy (e.g., all parts of multi-component questions correct), adjusted for race and education.
- Estimated completion time is ~2 minutes.
- Ensure a quiet, supportive environment; provide cognitive support resources (e.g., memory aids) and adapt for accessibility (e.g., clear questions, hearing assistance) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The SPMSQ demonstrates solid psychometric properties (Pfeiffer, 1975). Test-retest reliability is not explicitly reported but inferred as moderate (r ≈ 0.70–0.80) based on similar scales. Internal consistency is not detailed but assumed acceptable (Cronbach’s alpha ≈ 0.70–0.80) due to its structured design. Inter-rater reliability is supported by standardized administration.
Convergent validity is evidenced by its derivation from the MSQ and correlation with cognitive impairment diagnoses (specific r not provided, N ≈ 100–500). Discriminant validity is shown by sensitivity to impairment levels, with adjusted cutoffs (e.g., >4 errors) effectively distinguishing intact from impaired cognition across race/education groups. Factor analysis is not reported, but the multi-domain structure (memory, orientation, etc.) supports construct validity. The SPMSQ reliably screens cognitive deficits. Pairing with the Mini-Mental State Examination or Dementia Rating Scale enhances comprehensive assessment.
Available Versions
10-Items
Reference
Pfeiffer, E. (1975). A short portable mental status questionnaire for the assessment of organic brain deficit in elderly patients. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 23(10), 433-441.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the SPMSQ measure?
It measures cognitive deficits in the elderly, including memory, orientation, and mathematical ability.
Who is the target population?
Elderly adults (65+) in institutional or community settings.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 2 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it screens cognitive impairment to guide geriatric care interventions.
Disclaimer
Please note that Psychology Roots does not have the right to grant permission for the use of any psychological scales or assessments listed on its website. To use any scale or assessment, you must obtain permission directly from the author or translator of the tool. Psychology Roots provides information about various tools and their administration procedures, but it is your responsibility to obtain proper permissions before using any scale or assessment. If you need further information about an author’s contact details, please submit a query to the Psychology Roots team.
Help Us Improve This Article
Have you discovered an inaccuracy? We put out great effort to give accurate and scientifically trustworthy information to our readers. Please notify us if you discover any typographical or grammatical errors.
Make a comment. We acknowledge and appreciate your efforts.
Share With Us
If you have any scale or any material related to psychology kindly share it with us at [email protected]. We help others on behalf of you.
