Assessment of behavioral problems in dementia: The Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist.

Abstract

Checklist (RMBPC), a 24-item, caregiver-report measure of observable behavioral problems in dementia patients, provides 1 total score and 3 subscale scores for patient problems (memory-related, depression, and disruptive behaviors) and parallel scores for caregiver reaction. Data were obtained from 201 geriatric patients and their caregivers. Factor analysis confirmed 3 first-order factors, consistent with subscales just named, and 1 general factor of behavioral disturbance. Overall scale reliability was good, with alphas of .84 for patient behavior and .90 for caregiver reaction. Subscale alphas ranged from .67 to .89. Validity was confirmed through comparison of RMBPC scores with well-established indexes of depression, cognitive impairment, and caregiver burden. The RMBPC is recommended as a reliable and valid tool for the clinical and empirical assessment of behavior problems in dementia patients.

A Comparison of Psychosocial Outcomes in Elderly Alzheimer Caregivers and Noncaregivers

“…Behavior disturbances of spouses were assessed with the Revised Memory and Behavior Problem Checklist (RMBPC) (25, 26). Participants were asked the frequency with which their spouses exhibited 24 memory and behavior problems over the past week.…”

Caregiving burden and psychiatric morbidity in spouses of persons with mild cognitive impairment

“…The MBPC inquires about the frequency of 30 behavioral problems commonly exhibited by individuals with dementia, as well as the extent of the caregiver's reaction to such behaviors (discussed under Subjective Caregiver Burden section below). Reliability alphas of the RMBPC range from 0.84 to 0.90 when used with older adults (Teri et al, 1992). Item responses on the frequency component of the MBPC are rated on a six-point scale (0 = never occurred to 5 = occurs daily or more often).…”

“…Burden associated with MCI-related behaviors-As noted above, the MBPC evaluated the caregiver's reaction to specific behaviors exhibited by the care recipient (Zarit et al, 1980) and has acceptable reliability when used with older adults (Teri et al, 1992). Caregivers noted how much each specific behavior 'bothered or upset' them (0 = not at all, 4 = extremely).…”

Reversible dementia in elderly patients referred to a memory clinic

“…The severity of dementia was assessed with regard to (1) cognition, using the CAMCOG subscale of the CAMDEX-N [10]; (2) disability in daily functioning, using the Interview for Deterioration in Daily living activities in Dementia (IDDD) [26]; (3) behavioural changes, using a Dutch translation of the Revised Memory and Behavioral Problems Checklist (RMBPC) [24]; and (4) burden experienced by the caregiver, using the Competency Questionnaire [28]. Completion of the CAMCOG was part of the clinical evaluation by the neurologists.…”