Relationships among the Word-Finding Behaviors Ratio, Subjective Memory, and Objective Memory in Healthy Elderly Adults

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify relationships among the word-finding behaviors ratio using discourse production task, subjective memory, and objective memory in healthy elderly adults.Methods: Ninety-five healthy elderly adults participated in this study. Participants were used to picture description tasks. To evaluate the subjective memory deficit of the elderly, Subjective Memory Complaints Questionnaire (SMCQ) was used, and to evaluate the objective memory deficit, the Seoul Verbal Learning Test (SVLT) was used.Results: First, the ratio of word-finding behaviors in the elderly appeared in the order of empty words, repetitions, insertions, time fillers, delays, word reformulations, and substitutions. Second, the SMCQ score, which evaluates subjective memory, showed a significant positive correlation with the ratio of global index, repetitions, and insertions. Third, the ratio of global index, repetitions, insertions, delays, and substitutions of word-finding behaviors were significantly correlated with the objective memory of the elderly. Finally, the most significant predictor variable in the global index ratio of word-finding behaviors of the elderly was the delayed recall score of SVLT.Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that the ratio of wordfinding behaviors by the spontaneous speech-based naming test is closely related to the subjective and objective memory in healthy elderly adults.