Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: February | Volume: 8 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 118-123
Comparison of Mental Imagery Ability between Community Dwelling and Institutionalized Older Adults
Asmita Karajgi1, Ishita Shah2
Professor1, MPT Student2, Neurophysiotherapy Dept., School Of Physiotherapy, D.Y.Patil University, Nerul, Navi Mumbai.
Corresponding Author: Asmita Karajgi
ABSTRACT
Background: Mental imagery is an important adjunct to geriatric rehabilitation. It is beneficial especially when physical practice has limitation. As there is a decline in the cognitive abilities with ageing, ability to use mental imagery may also differ in older adults, especially community dwelling and staying in institutions.
Aim: The present study aimed at comparing the ability to use mental imagery between community dwelling and institutionalized older adults.
Methodology: After giving informed consent, 100 mobile senior citizens(above 65 years) from both institutional setting and community from Mumbai participated in the cross sectional study. A shortened form of Bett’s questionnaire upon mental imagery was administered.
Statistical analysis: Comparison of the total scores as well as scores of seven subscales of the shortened form of Bett’s questionnaire was done between community and institutionalized geriatrics. Time required to complete the questionnaire was also compared between the groups.
Results: The mean of total score as well as time taken was significantly less in community dwelling than in institutionalized older adults as per the unpaired t test. (p<0.0001) Statistically significant difference was observed in all the domains of mental imagery in both the groups using ANOVA (p<0.001). Within group comparison using ANOVA showed no statistical difference in institutionalized older adults (p =0.064); but in community dwelling older adults, imagery in emotion was significantly difficult than the other domains (p=0.001).
Conclusions: Mental imagery ability in all the sensory domains was found to be less in institutionalized compared to community dwelling older adults.
Key words: Mental imagery, shortened form of Bett’s questionnaire, ageing