Date of Award
12-1989
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Occupational Therapy
First Advisor
Dr. David L. Nelson
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
This study compared the effects of hands-on purposeful doing with demonstration (HO) versus a demonstration-only (DO) activity in terms of the level of memory retention in elderly females. Twenty-nine females with a mean age of 81.8 years (SD = 11.6) and with moderate cognitive deficits as determined by a score of 3-8 on the Mental Status Questionnaire (Kahn, Goldfarb, & Pollack, 1960) were selected from an extended care nursing facility. Fifteen randomly assigned subjects (in three sub-groups of five) had approximately one hour of demonstration and hands-on involvement with ice cream making. Fourteen randomly assigned subjects in sub-groups of four or five received demonstration only of ice cream making. The level of memory retention was measured using a task-related quiz developed by the researcher. This quiz was administered by an assistant unaware of group assignment. A t-test indicated a significant difference in favor of the HO group.
Recommended Citation
Varner, Desiree Arah, "Hands-On Purposeful Activity and Short-Term Memory Retention in Elderly Patients with Cognitive Deficits" (1989). Masters Theses. 1162.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/1162