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Abstract
Objective:
Apathy is a prominent and disabling symptom in PD and is a multidimensional behaviour, but which dimensions are specifically affected is unclear. Therefore the aim of this preliminary study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Dimensional Apathy Scale (DAS) and explore the multidimensional profile of apathy in PD patients.
Methods:
34 PD patients, with 30 of their informants/carers, and 34 healthy controls with, 30 of their informants, completed the DAS, Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) and the Geriatric Depression Scale- Short form (GDS-15). Motor staging and independent living status were recorded.
Results:
Comparative group analyses revealed that PD patients were significantly more apathetic on self-rated Executive (p = .01) and Initiation (p = .03) dimensions than controls, where only Executive apathy was significantly higher in ratings of patients’ informants/carers compared to controls’ informants (p = .02). A third of patients were impaired on at least one apathy dimension. Additionally, patients with apathy tended to have more impaired activities of daily living, while none of the apathy dimensions related to motor disability.
Conclusion:
Our findings show the DAS is a valid and reliable multidimensional apathy tool for use in PD. PD is characterised by an Executive apathy profile as determined by informants/carers, although patients described both Executive and Initiation apathy. This indicates a lack of motivation for planning, organization and attention and lack of initiation of thoughts or behaviours. Further research is needed to determine the cognitive underpinnings of this emerging apathy profile and the clinical impact in PD.
Apathy is a prominent and disabling symptom in PD and is a multidimensional behaviour, but which dimensions are specifically affected is unclear. Therefore the aim of this preliminary study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Dimensional Apathy Scale (DAS) and explore the multidimensional profile of apathy in PD patients.
Methods:
34 PD patients, with 30 of their informants/carers, and 34 healthy controls with, 30 of their informants, completed the DAS, Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) and the Geriatric Depression Scale- Short form (GDS-15). Motor staging and independent living status were recorded.
Results:
Comparative group analyses revealed that PD patients were significantly more apathetic on self-rated Executive (p = .01) and Initiation (p = .03) dimensions than controls, where only Executive apathy was significantly higher in ratings of patients’ informants/carers compared to controls’ informants (p = .02). A third of patients were impaired on at least one apathy dimension. Additionally, patients with apathy tended to have more impaired activities of daily living, while none of the apathy dimensions related to motor disability.
Conclusion:
Our findings show the DAS is a valid and reliable multidimensional apathy tool for use in PD. PD is characterised by an Executive apathy profile as determined by informants/carers, although patients described both Executive and Initiation apathy. This indicates a lack of motivation for planning, organization and attention and lack of initiation of thoughts or behaviours. Further research is needed to determine the cognitive underpinnings of this emerging apathy profile and the clinical impact in PD.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 151-158 |
| Journal | International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 28 Feb 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2018 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- apathy
- Parkinson's disease
- motor symptoms
- non-motor symptoms
- depression
- activities of daily living
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Dive into the research topics of 'Apathy dimensions in Parkinson’s disease'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre
Russ, T. (Principal Investigator) & Deary, I. (Co-investigator)
16/05/11 → 31/08/18
Project: Research