Impact of Cognitive Impairment on Wandering Behavior

The purpose of this study was to explore cognitive impairment as a predictor of wandering rhythm and pattern in a sample of 25 demented residents from two long-term care settings. Parameters of rhythm indicating cycle frequency and structure were examined for wandering patterns (random, lapping, and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Western journal of nursing research 2001-04, Vol.23 (3), p.283-295
Main Authors: Algase, Donna L., Beattie, Elizabeth R. A., Therrien, Barbara
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activities of Daily Living
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Behavior
Circadian Rhythm
Cognition & reasoning
Cognition Disorders - diagnosis
Cognition Disorders - physiopathology
Cognition Disorders - psychology
Cognitive impairment
Dementia
Elderly people
Female
Geriatric Assessment
Humans
Linear Models
Long term care
Male
Mental Status Schedule
Mobility
Nursing
Predictive Value of Tests
Predictors
Walking - psychology
Wandering
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Summary:The purpose of this study was to explore cognitive impairment as a predictor of wandering rhythm and pattern in a sample of 25 demented residents from two long-term care settings. Parameters of rhythm indicating cycle frequency and structure were examined for wandering patterns (random, lapping, and pacing) and for nonwandering (direct) ambulation. All measures of cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Exam, Mattis Dementia Rating Scale, and a neuropsychologist’s clinical rating) were significant predictors of parameters signifying frequency of wandering for random and lapping patterns but not for the pacing pattern. In addition, for nonwandering ambulation, cognitive impairment predicted some parameters of cycle structure (mean locomoting and nonlocomoting phase durations) but not those denoting frequency of ambulation. Results indicate that cognitive impairment plays an important role in determining the frequency of wandering cycles, but other factors may better explain parameters that characterize its cycle structure.
ISSN:0193-9459
1552-8456
DOI:10.1177/01939450122045159