ABSTRACT
Six elderly persons with a diagnosis of "chronic brain syndrome," who resided in a home for the aged, received bi-weekly sensory stimulation and group therapy for three months. This pilot project demonstrated that the symptoms used to classify "chronic brain syndrome" are flexible and can improve with such treatment. Not only does this cast doubt on the accuracy of this diagnosis are used, but it provides further evidence of the utility of such treatment for this type of patient. Since group therapy and sensory stimulation over a relatively short period can result in clinical and testable improvement, the diagnosis of "chronic brain syndrome" in the elderly should not be allowed to preclude the provision of appropriate psychiatric therapy.
Subject(s)
Mental Disorders/therapy , Neurocognitive Disorders/therapy , Psychotherapy, Group , Aged , Chronic Disease , Humans , Middle Aged , Neurocognitive Disorders/diagnosisABSTRACT
A combination of three psychiatric screening tests was used to uncover the extent of affective-psychotic symptoms, the indications of "chronic brain syndrome," and the perceptual limitations among two selected populations of elderly persons. It was found that 25% of 48 residents in a home for the aged, and 9% of 45 members in a social club, had four or more affective-psychotic complaints. In the former group, 75% had symptoms of moderate to severe "chronic brain syndrome," versus 7% in the latter group. Among the residents of the home, 10% had serious disturbances as measured by all three tests. The significant number of affective-psychotic symptoms found in this population with extensive manifestations classifiable as "chronic brain syndrome" indicates that this diagnosis should not be allowed to preclude regular psychiatric evaluation of these elderly patients. When a specific diagnosis is established, available treatment modalities should be provided as needed.
