Efeitos da avaliação neuropsicológica na autopercepção da memória em população adulta portuguesa

Abstract

Introduction: Subjective memory complaints are common amongst middle-aged and elderly individuals, and their value as a predictor of cognitive decline has been debated. The appreciation of complaints is one of the factors that drives the search for a cognitive exam, but little is known about how the assessment itself affects this population's self-perception of memory. Methods: The sample comprised 45 individuals aged between 56 and 86 years. Exclusion and inclusion criteria were validated, supported by an interview and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) instruments. The Subjective Memory Complaints Scale (SMC) was applied at the beginning and at the end of the protocol consisting of Logical Memory, Verbal Paired-Associated Learning, Digit Span, California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), Semantic Fluency, and Trail Making Test (TMT) tests. Results: Memory complaints decreased after the neuropsychological assessment, with 60% of participants improving their self-perception of memory after the evaluation. Only in 7% there was an increase in complaints. Age and education are not different between the groups that changed and maintained the total number of complaints. Regarding the group in which complaints have decreased, the result of the deferred Logical Memory test was higher. No other significant differences were found. Conclusions: Following a cognitive evaluation of their executive function and memory, most participants in this sample of people who live in the community reported feeling better about their own memory. The clinical evaluation of complaints will benefit greatly by a comparison of these findings with those of patients seeking professional assistance for memory problems.

Date of Award	25 Nov 2024
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Filipa Ribeiro (Supervisor)