The knowledge of memory aging questionnaire (KMAQ) in a Brazilian sample: a questionnaire for informants to recognize early signs of dementia
ABSTRACT. Till present, only a few countries have developed support programs for caregivers and families of patients with dementia aimed to improve knowledge, skills, and strategies to deal with the patient's symptoms. However, prior to offering this special support, it is important to identify...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Associação Neurologia Cognitiva e do Comportamento
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Dementia & Neuropsychologia |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1980-57642023000100309&lng=en&tlng=en |
| _version_ | 1827938893240991744 |
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| author | Mariel Carolina Montiel-Aponte Paulo Henrique Ferreira Bertolucci Gustavo Gil Velho Rocha |
| author_facet | Mariel Carolina Montiel-Aponte Paulo Henrique Ferreira Bertolucci Gustavo Gil Velho Rocha |
| author_sort | Mariel Carolina Montiel-Aponte |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT. Till present, only a few countries have developed support programs for caregivers and families of patients with dementia aimed to improve knowledge, skills, and strategies to deal with the patient's symptoms. However, prior to offering this special support, it is important to identify beliefs and thoughts shared by informants related to cognition in elderly people. Questionnaires are instruments that allow having this information, such as the Knowledge of Memory Aging Questionnaire (KMAQ), which was designed to assess normal and pathological changes in the aging process. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge about cognition, aging, and dementia as evaluated by the KMAQ in people who are in contact with elderly people, with and without cognitive impairment. Methods: A total of 78 relatives and caregivers of elderly patients were classified into two groups: group 1: relatives of patients with dementia (n1=48), and group 2: relatives of patients without cognitive impairment (n2=30). They were asked to answer some questionnaires about dementia, including the KMAQ. Results: Comparing the questionnaire's scores for normal cognitive changes items (g1: 0.53 vs. g2: 0.53, p-value: 0.99) did not show differences between the knowledge in both groups, nor shows the scores for pathological cognitive changes items (g1: 0.55 vs. g2: 0.55, p-value: 0.969). Conclusions: It seems that being in contact with dementia does not improve knowledge about it. Knowledge of normal changes in cognition could make it possible to recognize “red flags” suggestive of neurodegenerative processes, allowing for earlier diagnosis and more options for treatment. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T08:44:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b0c72220d7c14c5d95dfeb35f81c0895 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1980-5764 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T08:44:22Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | Associação Neurologia Cognitiva e do Comportamento |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Dementia & Neuropsychologia |
| spelling | doaj.art-b0c72220d7c14c5d95dfeb35f81c08952023-05-30T07:36:00ZengAssociação Neurologia Cognitiva e do ComportamentoDementia & Neuropsychologia1980-57642023-05-011710.1590/1980-5764-dn-2022-0090The knowledge of memory aging questionnaire (KMAQ) in a Brazilian sample: a questionnaire for informants to recognize early signs of dementiaMariel Carolina Montiel-Apontehttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3707-4380Paulo Henrique Ferreira Bertoluccihttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7902-7502Gustavo Gil Velho Rochahttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6837-5528ABSTRACT. Till present, only a few countries have developed support programs for caregivers and families of patients with dementia aimed to improve knowledge, skills, and strategies to deal with the patient's symptoms. However, prior to offering this special support, it is important to identify beliefs and thoughts shared by informants related to cognition in elderly people. Questionnaires are instruments that allow having this information, such as the Knowledge of Memory Aging Questionnaire (KMAQ), which was designed to assess normal and pathological changes in the aging process. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge about cognition, aging, and dementia as evaluated by the KMAQ in people who are in contact with elderly people, with and without cognitive impairment. Methods: A total of 78 relatives and caregivers of elderly patients were classified into two groups: group 1: relatives of patients with dementia (n1=48), and group 2: relatives of patients without cognitive impairment (n2=30). They were asked to answer some questionnaires about dementia, including the KMAQ. Results: Comparing the questionnaire's scores for normal cognitive changes items (g1: 0.53 vs. g2: 0.53, p-value: 0.99) did not show differences between the knowledge in both groups, nor shows the scores for pathological cognitive changes items (g1: 0.55 vs. g2: 0.55, p-value: 0.969). Conclusions: It seems that being in contact with dementia does not improve knowledge about it. Knowledge of normal changes in cognition could make it possible to recognize “red flags” suggestive of neurodegenerative processes, allowing for earlier diagnosis and more options for treatment.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1980-57642023000100309&lng=en&tlng=enKnowledge of Memory Aging QuestionnaireSurveys and QuestionnairesCaregiversDementia |
| spellingShingle | Mariel Carolina Montiel-Aponte Paulo Henrique Ferreira Bertolucci Gustavo Gil Velho Rocha The knowledge of memory aging questionnaire (KMAQ) in a Brazilian sample: a questionnaire for informants to recognize early signs of dementia Dementia & Neuropsychologia Knowledge of Memory Aging Questionnaire Surveys and Questionnaires Caregivers Dementia |
| title | The knowledge of memory aging questionnaire (KMAQ) in a Brazilian sample: a questionnaire for informants to recognize early signs of dementia |
| title_full | The knowledge of memory aging questionnaire (KMAQ) in a Brazilian sample: a questionnaire for informants to recognize early signs of dementia |
| title_fullStr | The knowledge of memory aging questionnaire (KMAQ) in a Brazilian sample: a questionnaire for informants to recognize early signs of dementia |
| title_full_unstemmed | The knowledge of memory aging questionnaire (KMAQ) in a Brazilian sample: a questionnaire for informants to recognize early signs of dementia |
| title_short | The knowledge of memory aging questionnaire (KMAQ) in a Brazilian sample: a questionnaire for informants to recognize early signs of dementia |
| title_sort | knowledge of memory aging questionnaire kmaq in a brazilian sample a questionnaire for informants to recognize early signs of dementia |
| topic | Knowledge of Memory Aging Questionnaire Surveys and Questionnaires Caregivers Dementia |
| url | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1980-57642023000100309&lng=en&tlng=en |
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