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Assessment of memory function: the relation between daily observation and neuropsychological test performance

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 June 2010

A. Persoon ,
R. P. C. Kessels ,
L. Joosten-Weyn Banningh ,
J. Verkoelen ,
T. van Achterberg  and
M. G. M. Olde Rikkert
A. Persoon*
Affiliation:
Department of Geriatrics, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
R. P. C. Kessels
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Psychology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands
L. Joosten-Weyn Banningh
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Psychology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
J. Verkoelen
Affiliation:
Department of Geriatrics, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
T. van Achterberg
Affiliation:
Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare, Nursing Science Section, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
M. G. M. Olde Rikkert
Affiliation:
Department of Geriatrics, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Anke Persoon, Department of Geriatrics – 925, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Phone: +31-24 361 6772; Fax: +31-24-361 7048. Email: A.Persoon@ger.umcn.nl.
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Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to explore the value of a daily observation scale in the assessment of patients' memory function by nurses on a geriatric ward.

Methods: An observational study of 50 geriatric inpatients was carried out. The relationship between the memory items of the Nurses' Behavioral Rating Scale for Geriatric Inpatients (GIP) and four types of neuropsychological memory tests was examined: visual paired-associate learning (Visual Association Test, VAT), word-list learning (Eight Word Test, 8WT from the Amsterdam Dementia Screening, ADS), and the subtests Route Recall and Story Recall from the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT). Correlations with the overall measures assessing level of dementia such as the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE), Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR) and the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) were examined as well.

Results: The Pearson's correlation coefficients between GIP and the four memory tests were between 0.45 and 0.71 (p < 0.01). The GIP correlations with the MMSE and CDR were 0.63 and 0.46, respectively (p < 0.01). No significant correlation was found with the GDS-15. Statistically significant differences in GIP memory scores between patients with dementia and non-demented patients were found (p < 0.01).

Conclusions: Results indicate that an observation scale of memory function may have value for providing information about the underlying memory impairment. The results of nurses' observations may be used in triage contributing to the diagnostic process by selecting patients requiring further neuropsychological assessment.

Keywords

behavioral rating scalememoryobservation scalevaliditynursing
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 23 , Issue 1 , February 2011 , pp. 102 - 106
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2010

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