The Potential of a Relational Training Intervention to Improve Older Adults' Cognition

Acceptance and Commitment Training in Applied Behavior Analysis: Where Have You Been All My Life?

Examining behavior within the context of applied behavior analysis (ABA) from the perspective of acceptance and commitment training (ACTr), while understanding the role of relational framing and the transformation of stimulus function, can better equip behavior analysts to effectively address complex behavior that may be influenced by covert verbal behavior. This approach may lead to a more comprehensive analysis of behavior and result in more effective interventions for socially significant change. The aim of this article is to provide behavior analysts with information and guidance on using relational frame theory (RFT) and ACTr in behavior-analytic services. The article first provides a rationale for considering thoughts as behavior and outlines important components of RFT. Subsequently, the benefits of employing ACTr in ABA are highlighted, including brief descriptions and examples of the use of ACTr within ABA practice. The article highlights the importance of expanding the consideration of maintaining variables when attempting to address maladaptive covert verbal behavior and ultimately aims to encourage a greater number of behavior analysts to adopt RFT and ACTr practices in applied settings.

Assessing the cognitive status of older adults attending primary healthcare centers in Saudi Arabia using the Mini-Mental State Examination

OBJECTIVES

 To assess the cognitive status of older adults in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

 This was a cross-sectional, multistage, stratified study of older individuals (≥60 years of age) attending primary healthcare centres in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between January 2015 and April 2017. We collected data using a structured questionnaire, which incorporated questions regarding demographic and anthropometric variables, the Arabic version of Mini-Mental State Examination, the Mini-Nutritional Assessment tool, and the Modified Katz Index of Independence in activities of daily living.

RESULTS

 Of the 1299 participants, 914 (70.4%) were male, with a mean age of 66.2 ± 5.9 years. Approximately 79.1% of the participants had intact cognitive function, 17.1 had mild cognitive impairment, and 3.8% had severe cognitive impairment. Impaired cognitive function was associated with increased age, female gender, low education, unmarried status, and unemployed (p less than 0.001). Reduced cognitive impairment was significantly associated with functional impairment and malnutrition (p less than 0.001).

CONCLUSION

 Cognitive impairment affected around 21% of the participants. The reduced cognitive function was associated with increased age, female gender, low education level, unmarried, low income, dependency on others, functional impairment, and malnutrition. Such information could motivate health-policy makers to introduce appropriate measures to improve older adults' existing healthcare services in primary care, including cognitive function assessment.