The ability of the Dementia Rating Scale to predict everyday functioning

Abstract

The Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) is a brief neuropsychological assessment battery designed to assess five areas of cognitive functioning in the elderly. The relationship between DRS performance and everyday functioning was examined for 50 psychogeriatric patients. Everyday functioning was assessed with a standardized performance measure examining self-care, safety, money management, cooking, medication administration, and community utilization. Regression analyses were conducted for each of the six functional domains. In addition, correlations between the DRS subscales and the functional areas were computed. Results revealed significant predictive relationships (p <.01) between performance on the DRS and most functional domains. The multiple Rs ranged from .52 - .70, accounting for 27% to 49% of the variance. The Initiation/Perseveration subscale was most heavily weighted in each analysis. Significant correlations were obtained between subdomains of cognition and most functional areas. The findings provide evidence of relationships between DRS performance and functional ability.

Everyday functioning in relation to cognitive functioning and neuroimaging in community-dwelling Hispanic and Non-Hispanic older adults

“…This finding is consistent with several previous studies (Dunn et al, 1990;McCue et al, 1990;Nadler et al, 1993;Richardson et al, 1995). Expressive language (Object Naming) showed the second strongest and only other independent relationship with the IQCODE.…”

“…Some studies have found that measures of executive function are most associated with everyday functioning (Cahn-Weiner et al, 2000;Nadler et al, 1993). The measure of executive functioning used in the current study (Verbal Conceptual Thinking) did not independently predict ratings on the IQCODE.…”

“…More recent studies have addressed associations between impairments in specific cognitive domains and measures of functional capacity. Several studies have shown memory impairments to be strongly associated with functional losses (Dunn et al, 1990;Goldstein et al, 1992;McCue et al, 1990;Richardson et al, 1995), while other studies have emphasized the importance of executive functioning (CahnWeiner et al, 2000;Nadler et al, 1993).…”

Issues in the Assessment of Cognitive Function in Dementia

“…It is not clear how the DRS compares in sensitivity to full neuropsychological batteries though this data may be available soon (Mattis, personal communication). Some of its subscales have been shown to be useful in the prediction of activities of daily living (e.g., Nadler et al, 1993). The potential therefore, for the DRS to ultimately be demonstrated to be an efficient clinical tool, providing at least some specification of cognitive functions in patients with dementia, is good.…”

Problem solving therapy for the depression‐executive dysfunction syndrome of late life

“…Regardless of its etiology, executive dysfunction confers significant disability (Nadler et al, 1993;Grigsby et al, 1998). Executive dysfunction is the cognitive impairment most likely to result in impairment of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) in depressed elderly patients (Kiosses et al, 2001).…”