PSYCHODIAGNOSIS OF PSEUDODEMENTIA IN ELDERLY NURSING HOME RESIDENTS.
Contributors: Boston University.
Published: 1988
Number of pages: 196
Subjects: Psychology, Clinical.; Gerontology.
Description: This study investigated the use of the Wais-R, Rorschach and Human Figure Drawings in the diagnosis of pseudodementia in a elderly nursing home population. The syndrome of cognitive deficits which can result from depression has been referred to as pseudodementia. When pseudodemented patients are successfully treated for depression, the dementia symptoms remit (Wells, 1979; Caine, 1981; Allen, 1982; Grunhaus et al., 1983). The diagnosis of patients with pseudodementia of depression is of crucial importance. Pseudodementia and dementia are indistinguishable by clinical interview, and patients are in danger of not receiving treatment (Post, 1975; Cavenar et al., 1979; McAllister and Price, 1982).

A sample of 48 subjects, 43 female and 5 male, over the age of 60 (M = 78), referred by consulting psychologists with the question of the differential diagnosis of pseudodementia versus dementia were examined. Pseudodementia was defined in terms of improvement from pretest to posttest on symptoms of cognitive loss and depression. Four measures were utilized to measure change: Hamilton Depression Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, Wechsler Memory Scale, and Mini-Mental Status Examination. They were administered at baseline within two-three weeks of the administration of the WAIS-R, Rorschach and HFD. After a period of 13-22 weeks during which patients received any combination of psychotherapy, case consultation and psychopharmacological treatment, the measures were readministered.

No subject improved on all four measures so that results discussed are speculative. However, applying less stringent rules, a number of subjects were classified as pseudodemented. Both Analysis of Variance on group differences and Partial Correlations of test variables with baseline adjusted improvement of posttest measures suggest that subjects who have higher the WAIS-R Full Scale IQ, Verbal IQ, and Information subtest are more likely to improve over time. Subtests Block Design, Similarities, Vocabulary and Arithmetic also differentiated between groups. No conclusive results from projective testing can be derived from this data. Special considerations regarding the diagnosis of pseudodementia in nursing home residents are discussed. The urgent need for continued assessment and treatment of this population is stressed. Future research is recommended.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-04, Section: B, page: 1393.

Thesis (PH.D.)--BOSTON UNIVERSITY, 1988.

School code: 0017.