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A new scale for assessing behavioral agitation in dementia
D Sinha1, F P Zemlan, S Nelson
1Alzheimer's Research Center, University of Cinicinnati College of Medicine, OH 45267-0559.
Psychiatry Research
|January 1, 1992
Summary
A new scale, the Behavioral and Emotional Activities Manifested in Dementia (BEAM-D) Scale, reliably assesses behavioral problems in elderly dementia patients. This validated instrument aids in measuring treatment efficacy for cognitive impairment.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Behavioral problems are common in elderly individuals with cognitive impairment and dementia.
- Accurate assessment tools are crucial for evaluating treatment efficacy in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate the Behavioral and Emotional Activities Manifested in Dementia (BEAM-D) Scale.
- To provide a reliable instrument for assessing troublesome and disruptive behaviors in dementia patients.
Main Methods:
- The BEAM-D Scale was developed for operational assessment of dementia-related behaviors.
- Reliability and validity were assessed in 45 patients with primary degenerative dementia.
- Interrater reliability and concurrent validity were evaluated using established scales (BPRS, SCAG).
Main Results:
- The BEAM-D Scale demonstrated high mean interrater reliability (0.90).
- Concurrent validity was strong, with BEAM-D items correlating with similar dimensions on the BPRS and SCAG.
- The scale effectively captured significant deviations from normative behavior in geriatric dementia patients.
Conclusions:
- The BEAM-D Scale is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing behavioral problems in cognitively impaired elderly individuals.
- This scale can aid in the operational assessment and treatment efficacy measurement for dementia-related behaviors.
- The BEAM-D Scale shows promise for clinical use in geriatric dementia care.