A factor analysis of the Mini-Mental State Examination in schizophrenic disorders

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J de Leon1, E Baca-García, G M Simpson

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA.

Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
|December 9, 1998
PubMed

Insights

This study performed a factor analysis on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in schizophrenia patients, identifying three distinct subscales: frontal, memory, and spatial. This provides new insights into cognitive assessment in schizophrenia.

Area of Science:

  • Neuropsychological assessment
  • Psychiatry
  • Cognitive science

Background:

  • The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is widely utilized in schizophrenia research.
  • A factor analysis of MMSE scores specifically within schizophrenia patient populations has been lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct a factor analysis of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia.
  • To identify underlying cognitive factors or subscales within the MMSE for this specific patient group.

Main Methods:

  • Principal-component analysis with varimax rotation was applied to MMSE ratings.
  • The study included 80 long-term inpatients diagnosed with DSM-III-R schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

Main Results:

  • The factor analysis yielded three distinct MMSE factors or subscales.
  • These identified subscales correspond to frontal, memory, and spatial cognitive domains.

Conclusions:

  • This pilot study introduces a three-factor structure for the MMSE in schizophrenia patients.
  • Limitations include a small sample size and the focus on hospitalized individuals, suggesting further research is warranted.

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