PsyD Student George Fox University Hillsboro, Oregon, United States
Objective: Geriatric adults’ neuropsychological scores were analyzed to clarify the impact of depressive symptoms on immediate and delayed memory.
Methods: Geriatric adults (n=16) showing no or minimal signs of cognitive decline were recruited to participate in a telehealth neuropsychological evaluation (NPE). The participants (age range 65-89; M=74.25) included 10 females and 6 males. The participants completed a 30-minute intake interview, 60 minutes of NPE, and a post-assessment feedback survey. The subjects participated via remote administration using video telecommunication technology (VTCT).
Results: A mixed methods experimental design was employed. A Pearson’s correlation coefficient was computed to assess the linear relationship between scores on a self-report measure of depressive symptoms [Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)] and objective immediate and delayed memory measures [Wechsler Memory Scale Logical Memory-I & II (WMS LM), California Verbal Learning Test-3rd Edition, Brief Form (CVLT-3), Rey Complex Figure Task (RCFT)].. There was significant negative correlations found between scores on the GDS and CVLT Long Delay Free Recall Trial r(14) = -.62, p < 0.05, the CVLT Long Delay Cued Recall Trail r(14)= -.60, p < 0.05, and WMS Logical Memory II r(14)= -.75, p < 0.01.
Discussion: The significant findings for the Pearson’s correlation suggest a strong negative relationship between depressive symptoms and scores on delayed trials of auditorily presented memory measures in older adults. This provides support for depressive symptoms negatively impacting delayed memory abilities among older adults. Due to the limited sample size, further research is needed to support these findings.
