Comparison among Four Measures of Depression in Younger and Older Alcoholics

1986 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 287-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur S. Tamkin ◽  
Leon A. Hyer ◽  
Mary F. Carson

Two hypotheses were tested: (1) The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) would be less affected by age in an older alcoholic group than in a younger one. (2) In comparison with other depression scales—Beck Depression Inventory, Depression Scale of MMPI, and Dysthymic Scale of Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory—the Geriatric Depression Scale would be the one least affected by age in the older group. To test these hypotheses two groups were formed, containing 36 and 37 subjects, whose mean ages were 32.50 and 53.98 yr. All subjects were administered the four depression scales and tests of cognitive function. The results confirmed the first hypothesis as r was .32 between age and the Geriatric Depression Scale for the younger group and .03 for the older group. The second hypothesis was not confirmed. All four depression scales correlated nonsignificantly with age in the older group. The use of the depression scales for all ages was supported and discussed.

1984 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 611-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee Hyer ◽  
John Blount

The assessment of depression among elderly persons has been difficult to accomplish. A new scale, the Geriatric Depression Scale, however, has been developed to alleviate some of the conceptual and psychometric problems of other more widely used depression scales among older populations. In this study, scores of 61 older psychiatric inpatients were compared for the new scale and the Beck Depression Inventory. These groups did not differ on chronicity, education, or intelligence. Although there is much overlap between the two ( r = .73), there is also considerable independence. Most importantly, scores on the new scale were a more precise indicator of depression diagnosis than the Beck scores. Finally, the new scale was a better discriminator between two older groups, depressed and non-depressed, than the Beck scores.


Author(s):  
Réjeanne Laprise ◽  
Jean Vézina

RÉSUMÉCette étude avait comme objectif de comparer les performances diagnostiques de l'Inventaire de Dépression de Beck (IDB) et de l'Échelle de Dépression Gériatrique (EDG) à correctement identifier des adultes âgés déprimés et des adultes âgés non déprimés exempts de troubles cognitifs importants et vivant en centres d'accueil. Aux seuils-critères usuels de 10 et de 11, la sensibilité du IDB était de 96,30 pour cent et celle du EDG de 88,89 pour cent alors que la spécificité se situait à 46,15 et 56,41 pour cent respectivement. Les courbes caractéristiques du receveur (ROC) ont permis de confronter les résultats obtenus à ces échelles avec le diagnostic des psychiatres selon les critères du DSM-III-R. Contrairement à ce qui avait été prévu, aucune différence n'a été retrouvée entre la surface sous la courbe du IDB (Az = 0,87; é.t. = .04) et celle du EDG (Az = 0,85; é.t. = .05). Ce résultat indique l'équivalence des performances diagnostiques de ces deux échelles. L'exclusion des énoncés somatiques ou du facteur somatique n'a pas amélioré significativement la performance diagnostique du IDB. Des indices de stabilité temporelle, de validité concomitante et de concordance avec le diagnostic ont aussi confirmé la fidélité et la validité de ces deux échelles auprès de résidants cognitivement intacts vivant en centres d'accueil.


2008 ◽  
Vol 66 (2a) ◽  
pp. 152-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vitor Tumas ◽  
Guilherme Gustavo Ricioppo Rodrigues ◽  
Tarsis Leonardo Almeida Farias ◽  
José Alexandre S. Crippa

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the accuracy of diagnosis of major depression in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) using the UPDRS, the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS15) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). METHOD: 50 consecutive patients with PD were evaluated. The diagnosis of major depression was made according to the DSM-IV criteria. RESULTS: We found a 24% prevalence of major depression. All depression scales were highly correlated but UPDRS depression item had the lowest diagnostic value. The GDS15 had the more appropriate "receiver operating characteristics" curve. The best cut-off scores for screening depression were 17/18 for BDI and 8/9 for GDS15. We did not find any correlation between the level of depression and intensity of motor symptoms, functional capacity and duration of the disease. CONCLUSION: GDS15 is better than the BDI and the UPDRS for screening depression in PD and depression is not related to the degree of parkinsonian symptoms.


2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Biasutti ◽  
Anthony Mangiacotti

The effectiveness of music training on depressed mood and general cognitive function in elderly participants is verified in this study. Music activities consisted of improvisation exercises for stimulating interpersonal skills, mood, and cognitive functions. A mixed research method was adopted, including standardized measures (Mini-Mental State Examination and Geriatric Depression Scale) and follow-up semistructured interviews. The research design included pre- and postevaluation with randomized experimental and control groups. Participants were 45 care residents aged 62 to 95, healthy and with cognitive impairment. Results revealed a significant improvement in depression index (Geriatric Depression Scale) for the experimental period ( t = 1.450; p < .005; d = 0.453) while the control group had no improvement ( t = 0.080; p > .1; d = 0.025). In addition, a significant improvement was found in the cognitive level (Mini-Mental State Examination) for the experimental ( t = 2.300; p < .005; d =  0.668) than the control group that had a significant reduction ( t = 1.240; p < .05; d = 0.273). This study provides evidence that music training has a positive impact on depressed mood and general cognitive function in elderly participants. These types of music training sessions could provide aid to control the symptoms of depression, delay the deterioration of cognitive function, and enhance social–cognitive function, especially in individuals presenting with cognitive impairment.


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