Authors: Bourgeois MS, Dijkstra K, Hickey EM
Title: Impact of communication interaction on measuring self- and proxy-rated depression in dementia
Source: Journal of Medical Speech Language Pathology 2005 13(1): 37-50
Year: 2005
Research Design: Randomised Controlled Trial
Rating Score: 04/10
This rating is confirmed
Eligibility specified - Y
Random allocation - Y
Concealed allocation - N
Baseline comparability - N
Blind subjects - N
Blind therapists - N
Blind assessors - N
Adequate follow-up - Y
Intention-to-treat analysis - N
Between-group comparisons - Y
Point estimates and variability - Y
Abstract:

This study examined whether teaching nursing aides to interact more effectively with patients with dementia affected self-, proxy, and concordance ratings of depression. Predictors of depression ratings were determined from measures of verbal interaction under different conditions of social closeness, training condition, and patient variables. Results revealed that proxy ratings of depression were significantly lower and concordance ratings significantly higher for the treatment group (63 nursing aides and 63 residents) during postintervention than for the control group (70 nursing aides and 62 residents). Regression analyses showed that patient problem behaviors and amount of patient talking were significantly associated with proxy-rated depression.
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