Relação entre os resultados da memória de trabalho fonológica e da escala de depressão

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: According to recent studies there is a significant decay on working memory functions due to aging. OBJETIVE: Relate the results of the Phonological Work Memory and the scores obtained in the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). METHODS: The methodology of the present study was based on the application of exams and tests on persons with 60 years old or more, with residence in Lagarto/SE or in its outskirts, comprising both genres and all of them sign a term of free and informed consent. It was conducted anamnesis, audiological exams – to check if the individuals have the auditory accuracy to this test realization, mini-mental state examination (MMSE), non-word repetition test by Kesller (1997), working memory evaluation and application of Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). It was excluded from this research, individuals with incompatible auditory threshold and with results under the normality average in MMSE for their age and schooling. RESULTS: The results are the following: the individuals in this study presented in MMSE final score an average of 25,3 (standard deviation: ± 2, 4; minimum: 22; maximum: 30 points) the average was 3,2 and standard deviation ±3,6 (2 individuals have signs of depression). In Phonological Working Memory there was a decay in points according to task complexity, especially the average 21,9 in non-word repetition test, 20,5 in digit direct ordering test and 18,4 in reverse ordering. CONCLUSION: The conclusion is that it wasn’t found significant relation between Phonological Working Memory and GDS-15.