Quantitative and qualitative aspects of sentences from the Mini-Mental State Examination: Personal disclosure in an unexpected place

In this study we compared structural and thematic attributes of sentences written by 631 older adults during the "Write a sentence" item of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Sentences were compared across groups of individuals with dementia, with depression, and with comorbid dementia and depression. Older adults with dementia wrote sentences with fewer words and more errors. Individuals with depression were more likely to write declarative sentences, while individuals with dementia were more likely to write exclamations and imperatives. In terms of themes, sentences from individuals with depression tended to have more bleak content, with fewer references to social phenomena. Sentences from individuals with dementia were more optimistic and contained more expressions of love. Many older adults, regardless of diagnosis, wrote poignant sentences about their families or their current living circumstances. Although the MMSE is intended to provide information about cognitive functioning, some older adults may take advantage of a part of the test to communicate emotional and psychosocial concerns.