Journal

The Japanese journal of neuropsychology

[Vol.18 No.4 contents]
Japanese/English

Full Text of this Article
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ArticleTitle A Rorschach test research in Alzheimer type dementia
Language J
AuthorList Namiko Nihashi, Kenji Kosaka
Affiliation Department of Psychiatry School of Medicine, Yokohama City University
Publication Japanese Journal of Neuropsychology: 18 (4), 219-229, 2002
Received Mar 11, 2002
Accepted Jul 15, 2002
Abstract Rorschach test was used for a neuropsychological approach to Alzheimer diseases research. 35 patients with dementia of Alzheimer type (DAT) and 35 healthy control subjects (C) were examined using the Comprehensive System for the Rorschach test. Six critical indices and variables of 7 clusters listed in the Rorschach test were statistically compared. Out of the 6 Critical Indices, 5 showed no pathologic findings. A significant difference was, howevernoticed between the 2 groups in the Coping Deficit Index (CDI). Out of the 7 clusters, such as Control, Information Processing, and Thinking, variables showed numerous significant differences in the DAT group. Significant differences were seen in the Affect cluster, which may mean defects in emotional control. Cognitive Mediation showed differences of P (popular responses) and Xu% (unusual responses). For Interpersonal Perception, the difference was only in H (human responses), and for Self Perception no defect was found.

Furthermore, groups categorized by age (over 65 years old and under 65 years old), gender, and CDR (Clinical dementia Rating) level were also examined. Although there was no difference in number of responses between the over 65-year and the under 65-year groups in DAT, there were differences between the age groups of C. In addition, comparing the DAT group under 65 with the C group over 65, no difference was demonstrated. This indicates that the responses of Rorschach test in the DAT group are not determined by difference in age, but as a result of the influence of the disease. The difference detected by gender was presented only in PSV (Perseverations) in the DAT group. In the CDR group, differences were detected in Self Perception, between the CDR0.5 (suspected dementia) group and the CDR1∼3 (mild, moderate, and severe dementia) group. This suggests that impairment of Self Perception is increased with progressing dementia. Thus, the Comprehensive System for Rorschach test might be available as a neuropsychological test as well as for further understanding of DAT patients.
Keywords dementia of Alzheimer's type, Comprehensive System for the Rorschach Test, neuropsychology, critical index, clusters

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