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Human-figure drawing and memory functioning across the adult life span.
K Ericsson1, B Winblad, L -G. Nilsson
1Karolinska Institute, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Occupational Therapy and Elderly Care Research (NEUROTEC), Division of Geriatric Medicine, Huddinge University Hospital, M98, 141 86, Stockholm, Sweden
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
|April 21, 2001
Summary
Drawing human figures declines with age, impacting memory function. Reduced detail in drawings predicts cognitive decline, similar to episodic memory tests, aiding clinical screening.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Cognitive abilities, including memory, change throughout adulthood.
- The human figure drawing (HFD) test is used in cognitive assessments.
- Understanding the relationship between drawing ability and memory decline is crucial for aging populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess changes in human figure drawing (HFD) ability across the adult lifespan.
- To correlate HFD changes with known alterations in memory function.
- To evaluate HFD as a potential screening tool for cognitive decline.
Main Methods:
- 1000 healthy adults from 10 five-year age cohorts (35-80 years) in northern Sweden were recruited.
- Participants underwent health examinations, cognitive testing, and memory function assessments.
- Human figure drawing (HFD) tests, including HFDarch, HFDtot, and HFDess, were administered.
Main Results:
- Episodic memory showed a steady decline with age, particularly in individuals with poorer HFD performance.
- Semantic memory performance remained stable until age 65, then declined.
- Reduced detail in HFD (HFDess) was a strong predictor of cognitive decline and dementia progression, comparable to episodic memory.
Conclusions:
- Human figure drawing (HFD) capacity diminishes with age, especially in older adults.
- HFD performance is linked to memory function, with better drawers exhibiting superior memory.
- HFD serves as a valuable clinical screening instrument for identifying cognitive decline.