Does day length affect cognitive performance in memory clinic patients?

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether day length affects cognitive performance in rural and remote memory clinic patients. Methods: A rural and remote memory clinic in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan provided an opportunity to examine how cognitive performance on the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) is influenced by day length. Saskatchewan is an ideal location to test this association as day length varies greatly both seasonally and geographically. Following an initial assessment by the Rural and Remote Memory Clinic (RRMC) team in Saskatoon, patient follow-up appointments were performed either in-person or via telehealth videoconference. At each follow-up appointment the clinic neurologist administered the MMSE. The relationship between day length and MMSE scores at the sixweek follow-up appointment was analyzed in 154 patients. The mean daily temperature was controlled for in the analysis. Bivariate correlate and linear regression analyses were conducted. Results: There was no significant association between MMSE scores and either minutes of day length or mean daily temperature. Conclusion: Day length does not appear to have significant effect on cognitive performance of rural and remote memory clinic patients.