"The Untestables": Methodological Problems in Drug Research with the Aged

Rosenfelt, Rosalie H.; Kastenbaum, Robert; Kempler, Bernhard

doi:10.1093/geront/4.2_part_1.72

Cited by 3 publications

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“…In contrast, certain psychological variables which might be affected by these drugs have received relatively little attention. Testing a geriatric population presents unusual problems (1). Our investigation was the last in a series of four provisional studies.…”

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confidence: 94%

Effect of Cyclandelate on Perception, Memory and Cognition in a Group of Geriatric Subjects

Aderman¹,

Giardina

Koreniowski

1972

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

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Cyclandelate, a potent vasodilator, was administered to 43 elderly patients in a home for the aged. The dosage was 200 mg twice daily. In a double-blind cross-over study, six psychological tests were used to evaluate the effects of cyclandelate on perception, memory and cognition. Though the results were not clear-cut, the overall trend indicated that such vasodilators may be useful in the treatment of the aged.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of cyclandelate' on a series of psychological measures in elderly subjects. Research involving vasodilator drugs of this type is frequently based on physiological measures such as cerebrocortical perfusion rates. In contrast, certain psychological variables which might be affected by these drugs have received relatively little attention. Testing a geriatric population presents unusual problems (1). Our investigation was the last in a series of four provisional studies. Initially we compared individual testing with group testing, but the latter proved to be the better arrangement for our purposes. It involved: 1. Insuring that enough proctors were 2. Payment of a moderate fee to the volunteer 3. The employment of power tests rather than provided t o aid with test instructions. participants in the test. timed tests. 4.The selection of initial tests that were easy enough to provide a "success experience." 5. Maintenance of the total testing period within the confines of two hours. A major difficulty in this study was the lack of standardized group tests which could be employed in a geriatric population within the allotted time t o test for memory, perceptual performance, visual motor ability, general orientation, and reasoning. Except for the first test, the psychometric measures had t o be basically non-verbal, and adequately reliable. 1. Rejection of several standard measures (e.g., the Chicago Non-Verbal Test of Intelligence). 2.Modification of other tests t o effect equilibrium between a maximal yield and a minimal test period. 3. Construction of new tests to measure certain group variables. Six tests were ultimately developed in addition to a behavioral rating scale. A double-blind cross-over design was employed.The pilot studies resulted in : MATERIAL AND METHODS Su bjec tsThe subjects were predominantly elderly Jewish residents of a home for the aged. There 268

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confidence: 94%

Effect of Cyclandelate on Perception, Memory and Cognition in a Group of Geriatric Subjects

Aderman¹,

Giardina

Koreniowski

1972

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

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“…Test taking is also frequently engaged in by younger people, whereas for the retired or institutionalized it has become infrequent and even threatening. Geriatrie patients particular, live in impoverished social environments (Rosen/elt, Kastenbaum & Kemper, 1971); their interpersonal skills tend to be reduced and their opportunity for social relationships limited. Thus the testing situation may have a stronger emotional impact.…”

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Evaluation of Geriatric Patients with Special Reference to Clinical Trials of socalled Nootropic Drugs

Gurski¹

1981

Pharmacopsychiatry

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This article, the first in a series, reviews some well-known difficulties involved in the assessment and evaluation of elderly patients. The various aims of assessment proper and of evaluation are delineated and a clear description of the specific purposes of assessment of the elderly is presented. These can differ considerably from the assessment aims for younger persons, for whom the tests were developed, thereby placing the use of traditional psychometric devices with the elderly in a doubtful position. An individualized, ecologically relevant approach is therefore suggested as an alternative. This position is further supported by the evidence that few of the standard psychometric criteria - validity, reliability, and representative reference groups - are met when standardized psychometric instruments are used with an older population. Evaluation of treatment effects, particularly drug effects, is elaborated with this evidence in mind, and the screening process is analyzed in terms of the special demands the characteristics of elderly subjects make on it. Later articles will also address the evaluation of treatment effects, concentrating on the selection of specific procedures and the assessment of baseline behavior and behavior change.

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Geriatrics

Simón¹,

Ma²

1965

AJP

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"The Untestables": Methodological Problems in Drug Research with the Aged

Cited by 3 publications

References 0 publications

Effect of Cyclandelate on Perception, Memory and Cognition in a Group of Geriatric Subjects

Effect of Cyclandelate on Perception, Memory and Cognition in a Group of Geriatric Subjects

Evaluation of Geriatric Patients with Special Reference to Clinical Trials of socalled Nootropic Drugs

Geriatrics

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