The Utility of Using a Cognitive Scale in Combination with a Behavior Observation Scale in the Evaluation of Dementia in a Convalescence Rehabilitation Ward

Purpose: To investigate the utility of using a behavior observation scale in combination with a cognitive scale in a convalescence rehabilitation ward. Subjects: Sixty inpatients in the convalescence rehabilitation wards of our hospital. Methods: The behavior observation NM scale was used to divide the subjects into 4 levels of dementia severity. Then, the MMSE and NM scale at admission of each group was compared, and their associations determined. Results: For the group with severe dementia, the MMSE assessment was unsatisfactory due to aphasia and depressive tendencies; however, a significant difference was found for the NM scale. In addition, for the groups with mild and moderate dementia, the correlation was low. Conclusion: Because the reliability of a single assessment is poor, and cognitive assessment is affected by aphasia and depressive tendencies, a behavior observation scale which observes and assesses patients' daily living activities is more useful.