Citation

Babins LH. Activ. Adapt. Aging 1984; 6(1): 45-57.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1984, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J016v06n01_05

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate institutionalized Organic Brain Syndrome (OBS) patients on short- and long-term memory (LTM) using modified tests. Implications for Reality Orientation Therapy (ROT) were examined. ROT is a type of therapy used to promote reality in the confused patient. It has been postulated that ROT relies on short-term memory (STM) process. The OBS subjects were 35 patients who were previously diagnosed as suffering from OBS. The control group consisted of 35 subjects who were not diagnosed as having OBS. The results indicate that there is a significant difference between OBS subjects and non-OBS subjects on STM tests. Also, there is a significant difference between STM and LTM tests in the OBS group. Results were discussed in terms of modifying ROT since it relies on an impaired STM process.