Factor analysis of the brief agitation rating scale in a large sample of norwegian nursing home patients.
BACKGROUND
Agitation and aggression are prevalent in dementia and put heavy strains on caregivers. Validated assessment tools measuring these symptoms are required to evaluate patients before therapy and during the follow-up period. Given the daily routine in nursing homes, abbreviated instruments are preferable. The Brief Agitation Rating Scale (BARS) is a short form of the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory. Our aim was to examine the Norwegian version of the BARS by performing a factor analysis.


METHODS
The data came from 1,870 nursing home patients. The primary caregivers were interviewed by research nurses using the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale, Lawton's Physical Self-Maintenance Scale and the BARS.


RESULTS
The exploratory factor analysis of the BARS revealed 3 dimensions: physically aggressive behavior, physically nonaggressive behavior and verbal agitation. Linear regression analysis showed that reduced functioning in activities of daily living was associated with physically aggressive behavior and verbal agitation, whereas increased severity of dementia and better functioning in activities of daily living were related to physically nonaggressive behavior. In addition, verbal agitation was positively related to a higher number of drugs being taken per day.


CONCLUSIONS
The factor analyses confirmed that the Norwegian version of the BARS measures the clinically relevant dimensions of agitation in dementia.
Sommer
Oskar H
OH
Center for Old-Age Psychiatry Research, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Ottestad, Norway. oskarsommer@gmail.com
Kirkevold
Oyvind
O
Cvancarova
Milada
M
Engedal
Knut
K
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000374:Aggression; D001519:Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway; D009726:Nurses; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis