Journal of Affective Disorders
Volume 81, Issue 1 , Pages 73-77, July 2004

Psychomotor retardation in elderly depressed patients

  • M.P.B.I Pier

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +31-24-3610207; fax: +31-24-3540561.
    • Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Centre, Reinier Postlaan 10, Nijmegen 6525 GC, The Netherlands
    • ,
  • W Hulstijn

      Affiliations

    • Nijmegen Institute of Cognition and Information (NICI), University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands
    • Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), University of Antwerp, Belgium
    • ,
  • B.G.C Sabbe

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Centre, Reinier Postlaan 10, Nijmegen 6525 GC, The Netherlands
    • Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), University of Antwerp, Belgium

Received 25 March 2003; received in revised form 6 August 2003; accepted 8 August 2003.

Abstract 

Background: The results of previous studies on psychomotor retardation (PR) in elderly depressed patients are inconsistent. The purpose of this study was (1) to try and establish whether elderly depressed patients show PR, and (2) if so, which process (cognitive/motor or both) is mainly slowed? Methods: Twelve elderly depressed patients and healthy controls (age: 70) were compared on figure copying tasks in which the cognitive task difficulty was manipulated. Results: Both initiation time (IT) and movement time (MT) were prolonged in the patient group. The effects of the cognitive manipulations were not larger in the patient group. Limitations: The sample size was small. Furthermore, patients were not medication free. Conclusions: A cognitive and a more pronounced motor retardation was found. Clinicians should be aware of this at least additive effect of aging and depression on PR in elderly patients.

Keywords:  Depression, Elderly, Psychomotor retardation, Cognitive, Motor

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PII: S0165-0327(03)00204-0

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2003.08.002

Journal of Affective Disorders
Volume 81, Issue 1 , Pages 73-77, July 2004

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