Development of the Japanese version of the Mobile Device Proficiency Questionnaire: A cross-sectional validation study.

Aim: In response to the growing popularity of mobile devices among older adults in Japan, this study aimed to establish a reliable and valid measure of mobile device proficiency by developing a Japanese version of the Mobile Device Proficiency Questionnaire (MDPQ-J) for the Japanese population.

Methods: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the MDPQ-J, we administered the questionnaire to 100 young or middle-aged participants (37.78 ± 13.

Examination of reliability and validity of the Self-Assessment Burden Scale-Motor for community-dwelling older adults in Japan: a validation study.

Background: The aging society in Japan is progressing rapidly compared with that in the United States and European countries. Aging limits activities of daily living (ADL) in older adults, declining their lives and functions at home. Therefore, improving their ADL to effectively support their functioning at home for as long as possible is vital.

Case report: Environmental adjustment for visual hallucinations in dementia with Lewy bodies based on photo assessment of the living environment.

Background: Visual hallucinations (VH) are associated with visual prediction error in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Given this relationship, environmental adjustments have been suggested, but detailed contents for implementing such environmental adjustments and assessments are poorly documented. This case report preliminarily demonstrates methods for improving VH through our experience with two patients with DLB.

Social robot for older adults with cognitive decline: a preliminary trial.

The number of older adults living alone is rapidly increasing. Loneliness in older adults not only degrade their quality of life but also causes troubles such as heavy burden on the medical staff, especially when cognitive decline is present. Social robots could be used in several ways to reduce such problems.

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.

Case Report: Treatment of Delusions of Theft Based on the Assessment of Photos of Patients' Homes.

Background: The occurrence of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia is affected by individualized context. However, details regarding delusion of theft have been poorly documented. This report describes a useful assessment to understand the environmental context of delusion through two cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

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.

Development of an assessment scale for engagement in activities for patients with moderate to severe dementia.

Background: Various types of therapy, including occupational therapy, are utilised for the treatment of moderate to severe dementia. In order to determine the optimal rehabilitation strategy for such patients and examine the treatment efficacy, an assessment scale for engagement in various group activities that can be easily applied in clinical situations is required. We herein report the development of the Assessment Scale for Engagement in Activities (ASEA) and its clinical utility.

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).

The Influence of the COVID-19 Outbreak on the Lifestyle of Older Patients With Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment Who Live Alone.

Under the COVID-19 outbreak, the Japanese government has strongly encouraged individuals to stay at home. The aim of the current study was to clarify the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on the lifestyle of older adults with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who live alone. Seventy-four patients with dementia or MCI aged ≥65 years, who regularly visited the dementia clinic of the Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Hospital, were recruited in this study.

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.

Physical Activity in Severe Dementia Is Associated With Agitation Rather Than Cognitive Function.

Background: The authors examined associations between physical activity, cognitive function, activities of daily living, and behavioral and psychological dementia symptoms (BPSD) in severe and moderate dementia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess severe and moderate dementia groups according to the Clinical Dementia Rating. An actigraphy measured physical activity.

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.

Development of the Japanese version of the Quality of Life in Late-stage Dementia Scale.

Aim: Until now, there has been no instrument to measure the quality of life (QoL) of patients with severe dementia in Japan. The purpose of this study was to translate the Quality of Life in Late-stage Dementia Scale and to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Japanese version (QUALID-J).

Methods: We translated the Quality of Life in Late-stage Dementia into Japanese with permission from the original authors.

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.