Influence of executive function on medication adherence in neurologically impaired and non-impaired elderly.

摘要: Medication non-compliance has become one of the most prevalent reasons for hospitalization and doctor's visits by elderly. As elderly population is more likely to have decreased cognitive abilities, it suggested that neuropsychological factors, especially executive function, are influential in medication than once thought. This study looked at function performance on a traditional battery tests, self-report perceived ability perform tasks, newly developed Pillbox Test, based IADL measure. The Test designed replicate type medication-management specific as means asses function. Standard measures only tap portion but believed incorporates all four theoretical domains multiple were compared three subgroups (mixed neurological group, cardiac medical-control healthy community-control group). Results found significant differences, where groups outperformed mixed group large majority tasks. Smaller differences also noted between groups. Together, these findings provide support diagnostic prevalence mild impairment older adult population. indicated level dysfunction standardized was highly correlated with both Direct Assessment Functional Status Finally, moderate strong ecological validity 75% sensitivity 87.5% specificity five or errors this test.