Aspects of Rest-Activity Rhythms Associated With Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms in Moderate and Severe Dementia: Results of a Cross-sectional Analysis.

Objective: Disturbances in rest-activity rhythms (RAR) are commonly observed in patients with dementia; however, the influence thereof on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) remains unexplored. This study aimed to determine whether there is an association between RAR and BPSD among patients with moderate and severe dementia.

Methods: RAR analyses of 64 participants were performed using actigraphy.

Clinical utility of an assessment scale for engagement in activities for patients with moderate-to-severe dementia: additional analysis.

Background: We developed the assessment scale for engagement in activities (ASEA), an assessment tool used to quantify engagement in therapeutic activities for patients with moderate-to-severe dementia. In this study, we report additional analyses to confirm the viability of ASEA as a reliable measurement scale.

Methods: This study included 195 patients with moderate-to-severe dementia in a psychiatric acute-phase hospital.

Factors influencing the quality of life in patients with severe dementia.

Background: A comprehensive understanding of the relevant factors involved in improving quality of life (QoL) is essential in patients with severe dementia; however, rating scales used in previous studies may not adequately reflect the factors that affect these patients. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that contribute to QoL using an evaluation scale suitable for patients with severe dementia.

Methods: The current cross-sectional study was conducted at a hospital for recuperation in Hyogo prefecture in Japan.

Insight Into Illness and Psychological Defense Attitudes in People With Chronic Schizophrenia Using Markova's Insight Scale.

Insight into illness is a multidimensional phenomenon, and various assessments are available. We focused on Markova's Insight Scale (IS) and investigated the relationship between insight, psychological defenses, and neurocognition in 38 patients with schizophrenia. Results showed that insight was significantly correlated with an immature defense style.

Impact of Disturbed Rest-activity Rhythms on Activities of Daily Living in Moderate and Severe Dementia Patients.

Purpose: People with dementia exhibit disturbed rest-activity rhythms and extended sleep duration issues throughout their disease. Little is known about the effects of these issues on clinical problems for those with moderate and severe dementia. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the associations of disturbed rest-activity rhythms and extended sleep duration with activities of daily living (ADL).

Clinical factors associated with activities of daily living and their decline in patients with severe dementia.

Background: To identify the clinical factors affecting activities of daily living (ADL) at baseline and after 6 months.

Methods: We conducted a single-centre observational study at two time points across 6 months (baseline and after 6 months) from April 2015 to March 2017. in a 270-bed rural recuperation hospital at Hyogo prefecture in Japan.

Insight Into Illness and Defense Styles in Schizophrenia.

Although the psychological denial model argues that poor insight is a result of defense mechanisms, the direct relationship between the two remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the relationship between insight into illness and defense mechanisms while considering cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia. A total of 38 patients with schizophrenia were evaluated for level of insight (Schedule for the Assessment of Insight), defense mechanisms (Defense Style Questionnaire), neurocognitive function (Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia), and psychotic symptoms (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale).

Clinical Utility of the Cognitive Test for Severe Dementia: Factor Analysis, Minimal Detectable Change, and Longitudinal Changes.

Aims: This study sought to conduct additional analyses of the Cognitive Test for Severe Dementia (CTSD) using the COSMIN checklist to ensure the development of adequate outcome measures.

Methods: The following analyses were conducted: (1) factor analyses were used to evaluate construct validity; (2) the standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC) were assessed to evaluate reliability and interpretability; and (3) longitudinal change was assessed to evaluate responsiveness.

Results: The CTSD factor analysis yielded 2 factors, each of which was dichotomized by the passage rate of each item.

Impaired Interpretation of Others' Behavior is Associated with Difficulties in Recognizing Pragmatic Language in Patients with Schizophrenia.

Much attention has been paid to the pragmatic language function in schizophrenia. This study of Japanese patients with schizophrenia examined the relationship between impaired interpretation of the behaviors of other people in social contexts and the ability to recognize metaphor and irony. We assessed 34 patients with schizophrenia and 34 normal subjects using first- and second-order theory of mind tasks, the Metaphor and Sarcasm Scenario Test, and the Dewey Story Test (which tests the ability to judge others' social behaviors).

Development of the Cognitive Test for Severe Dementia.

Background/aims: Existing cognitive measures for moderate-to-severe dementia have shown floor effects and an inability to assess the remaining cognitive function, especially for profound dementia.

Methods: We constructed the Cognitive Test for Severe Dementia (CTSD), which consists of 13 items covering 7 cognitive domains, and examined its reliability and validity.

Results: Cronbach's α in severe dementia participants was 0.