Psychometric patterns on the Rorschach of healthy elderly persons and patients with suspected dementia

The Rorschachs of two groups of 15 elderly subjects, one normal, the other in the early stages of a suspected dementia process, were compared. Both groups were similar in years of education, IQ, and age. An analysis of variance to test for the existence of group psychometric patterns was applied to 11 Rorschach variables, 10 of them were formed by Rorschach determinants and localization scores; one variable was built considering the level of energy projected in M. The analysis showed a real difference between the two groups' profiles. Movement responses of all types contributed heavily to this difference. Results agree with other findings indicating that low Movement score is characteristic of various types of organic diseases. However, the present study indicates that the weak energy level projected in the movement responses is a promising sign that might help in the diagnosis of a suspected dementia.