Visuospatial functioning and spatial orientation in a community-based sample of healthy very old persons.
A population-based sample (n=219) of healthy older adults ranging from 75 to 96 years of age was examined in tests measuring visuospatial ability (modified Block Design Test) and spatial orientation (Clock Setting Test and Clock Reading Test). Results indicated an age-related deterioration in both visuospatial abilities and spatial orientation. Block Design performance was higher under self-paced than under paced conditions across the entire age range, although the beneficial effects from decreased pacing tended to increase with increasing age. Also, the clock test data suggest that the abilities underlying time recognition (clock reading) may deteriorate later in the normal aging process than those underlying time drawing (clock setting). Finally, regression analyses on the relationship between a variety of demographic, psychometric, and biological variables and visuospatial functioning showed that, in order of importance, years of age, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and education, were significantly related to task performance.
Wahlin
T B
TB
Section of Psychology, Stockholm Gerontology Research Center, Sweden.
Bäckman
L
L
Wahlin
A
A
Winblad
B
B