Neuropsychiatric symptom clusters of Alzheimer's disease in Hong Kong Chinese: prevalence and confirmatory factor analysis of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 1465-1473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheung-Tak Cheng ◽  
Timothy Kwok ◽  
Linda C. W. Lam

ABSTRACTBackground: The aim of this study was to investigate the clustering of symptoms on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and the relative prevalence of symptom clusters in mild and moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed on the polychoric correlation matrix of 12 NPI items (scored yes or no) using the weighted least squares with mean and variance adjustment (WLSMV) estimator in Mplus (N = 224 community-dwelling Chinese persons with mild/moderate AD). Severity of AD was determined by Clinical Dementia Rating scores. The relative model fit of three competing measurement models (also known as factor structures) was tested using a modified χ2 difference test. Prevalence rates across mild and moderate stages were compared using χ2 tests. Furthermore, the measurement model of choice was cross-validated in an independent sample of 181 community-dwelling persons with dementia.Results: CFA supported a four-factor model, namely behavioral problems (agitation/aggressiveness, disinhibition, irritability, and aberrant motor behavior), psychosis (delusions and hallucinations), mood disturbance (depression, anxiety, sleep, appetite, and apathy), and euphoria (a stand-alone item that is equivalent to the factor). The most prevalent symptom clusters were behavioral (72%) and mood (69%) disturbances, followed by psychosis (45%). Euphoria was rare (6%). All syndromes were more prevalent in moderate than in mild stage, except for euphoria. In addition, the four-factor model was replicated in the cross-validation sample.Conclusions: The four syndromes provide a parsimonious conceptualization of neuropsychiatric symptoms corresponding to clinical observations and neurochemical changes of the disease. The independent replication in the second sample supports generalization of the four-factor model in Chinese persons with AD.

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deusivania Vieira da Silva Falcão ◽  
Daniel Paulson ◽  
Manuel Herrera Legon ◽  
Carolina Irurita-Ballesteros

Abstract The objective of this study was to translate and confirm the factor structure of the Familism Scale in the Brazilian Portuguese version. The sample included 716 Brazilian caregivers providing care to their own aging parents with Alzheimer’s Disease. The measures included the Familism Scale, the Filial Obligation Scale, the Life Satisfaction scale and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D). The questionnaire was individually filled online with use of the survey software package Qualtrics. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was used to examine the factor structure. The modified model demonstrated adequate fit (RMSEA = .063, CFI = .912). The hypotheses concerning convergence and divergence of validity from relevant variables were corroborated. These results support the use of the modified Familism Scale including twelve items and two factors with acceptable psychometric properties in a sample of Brazilian caregivers with Alzheimer’s Disease.


2003 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 748-753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jos F. M. de Jonghe ◽  
Arnold W. Goedhart ◽  
Marcel E. Ooms ◽  
Martin G. Kat ◽  
Kees J. Kalisvaart ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanokporn Pinyopornpanish ◽  
Manee Pinyopornpanish ◽  
Nahathai Wongpakaran ◽  
Tinakon Wongpakaran ◽  
Atiwat Soontornpun ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) has been widely used to assess caregiver burden. Few research papers have investigated the Thai version of the ZBI. The study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Thai version of both the full length (ZBI-22) and short versions (ZBI-12) using Rasch analysis and confirmatory factor analysis among a sample of Alzheimer’s disease caregivers. Results: The ZBI-22 fitted the Rasch measurement model regarding unidimensionality but not for ZBI-12. Five items from ZBI-22, and 2 items from ZBI-12 were shown to be misfitting items. Half of ZBI items were shown to be disordered category or threshold, and were locally dependent. CFA revealed three-factor and four-factor fitted the data the best for ZBI-22 and ZBI-12, respectively. Reliability was good for both forms of the ZBI (a = 0.86 - 0.92). Significant correlations were found with caregiver’s perceived stress, anxiety/depression, pain and mobility but not with self-care and usual activity ( p >0.05), indicating convergent and discriminant validity. To conclude, the Thai version ZBI-22, but not ZBI-12, supported the reliability and unidimensional scale among Alzheimer’s disease caregivers. Some misfitting items of the ZBI undermined the unidimensionality of the scale, and need revision.


Author(s):  
Sarah Beale ◽  
Silia Vitoratou ◽  
Sheena Liness

Abstract Background: Effective monitoring of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) competence depends on psychometrically robust assessment methods. While the UK Cognitive Therapy Scale – Revised (CTS-R; Blackburn et al., 2001) has become a widely used competence measure in CBT training, practice and research, its underlying factor structure has never been investigated. Aims: This study aimed to present the first investigation into the factor structure of the CTS-R based on a large sample of postgraduate CBT trainee recordings. Method: Trainees (n = 382) provided 746 mid-treatment audio recordings for depression (n = 373) and anxiety (n = 373) cases scored on the CTS-R by expert markers. Tapes were split into two equal samples counterbalanced by diagnosis and with one tape per trainee. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted. The suggested factor structure and a widely used theoretical two-factor model were tested with confirmatory factor analysis. Measurement invariance was assessed by diagnostic group (depression versus anxiety). Results: Exploratory factor analysis suggested a single-factor solution (98.68% explained variance), which was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. All 12 CTS-R items were found to contribute to this single factor. The univariate model demonstrated full metric invariance and partial scalar invariance by diagnosis, with one item (item 10 – Conceptual Integration) demonstrating scalar non-invariance. Conclusions: Findings indicate that the CTS-R is a robust homogenous measure and do not support division into the widely used theoretical generic versus CBT-specific competency subscales. Investigation into the CTS-R factor structure in other populations is warranted.


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