Assessment of mood state in dementia by use of the visual analog mood scales (VAMS).

Objective: The assessment of mood states in individuals with dementia is a challenging yet clinically useful task. The purpose of the present study was to examine the validity of the Visual Analog Mood Scales (VAMS) in individuals with dementia.

Methods: Thirty-one patients who met diagnostic criteria for dementia completed the VAMS and a modified Profile of Mood States.

Results: Authors found good convergent validity between all monotrait-heteromethod mood states. Excellent discriminant validity was found for VAMS Happy, Confused, Angry, and Energetic scales.

Conclusion: These results provide evidence for the validity of the VAMS in patients with dementia.