The former Kendrick Battery--the Synonym Learning Test (SLT) and the Digit Copying Test (DCT)--has been revised. The new version comprises the Object Learning Test (OLT) and the DCT. The discrepancy between Mill Hill and WAIS Verbasl IQs as a diagnostic sign has been eliminated. The Revised Battery has been shown to discriminate between elderly dementing and non-dementing subjects, and also between normal, depressed, and dementing elderly subjects. Utilizing test-retest data it has been found possible to discriminate absolutely between dementing and non-dementing subjects. The reliabilities and validities of the Battery have been ascertained by examining a broad spectrum of elderly subjects: normal, depressed, dementing and institutionalized.
A theory for the cognitive assessment of the elderly has been previously reported (Kendrick, 1972), in which it was predicted that normal and depressed subjects would not differ on cognitive tests unless 'pseudodementia' was indicated. Recent studies involving the Revised Kendrick Battery have led to a modification of the theory. The theory now has to take into account the effects of activity and medication, the former enhancing performance, the latter decreasing it. The previous studies (Kendrick & Post, 1967; Kendrick, 1972), have been re-examined and explanations given for the differences found between studies.
The revised Kendrick battery was used to assess level of cognitive functioning and subsequent cognitive change in a group of 40 long-stay elderly psychiatric patients. If it had been used for diagnosing organic dementia in this group, half would have been classified as dementing, although the clinical evidence was against such a diagnosis. It may therefore misclassify individuals who are functioning at a low cognitive level for other reasons. Alternative assessment procedures are now available for use with the elderly.
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