Abstract
The Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) survey was administered to 183 patients with cerebrovascular diseases (CVA) and 82 patients with motor system disorders in sub-acute rehabilitation wards. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Nursing Home version (NPI-NH) was used for evaluation, and the total score and incidence rates and severity for each subscale were assessed at the time of hospital admission, one month after admission, and at the time of discharge to determine changes over time. At the time of hospital admission, BPSD was found in 44% of patients with CVA and 29% of patients with motor system disorders, and there were heightened incidence rates of agitation, irritability, and night-time behavior. Among CVA patients, both improvement and deterioration were seen in subscales heading towards hospital discharge. Overall incidence rates and severity improved significantly among CVA patients but did not change significantly in patients with motor system disorders. These findings indicate that there is a need to devise occupational therapy treatment plans for BPSD in sub-acute rehabilitation wards that account for differences in temporal changes in patients with these two types of disorders.
