Abstract
D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect that hypertension has on
brain function. A neuropsychological test battery comprising of the following tests
was employed as a multivariate measure of brain dysfunction in a quasiexperimental,
matched group design:
a) The Complex Figure Test of Rey (copy, immediate recall and delayed recall),
b) the Logical Memory Test,
c) the Digits Span Test,
d) the Verbal Paired Associate Learning Subtest,
e) the Controlled Oral Word Generation Test,
fr the Trail Making Test, and the Digit Symbol Substitution Subtest,
This permitted a comparison in brain functioning between a group of
hypertensive and a group of normotensive participants that were matched
according to age, handedness, level of education and sex. The matching of
variables increased the sensitivity of the study by controlling extraneous variables
and ensured that the groups were compatible on the paired variables. The results
were statistically analyzed by employing the Mann-Whitney U statistic for small
groups and the Chi-square statistic on the measured variables. Further, content
analysis was employed to test for significant differences in strategies of coping,
immediate recall and delayed recall of the Complex Figure of Rey.
The results indicated that:
1. there were significant differences in attention and concentration,
motor functioning, perceptual abilities, information processing, memory, and
planning and organisation between the two groups, with the hypertensive group
obtaininq significantly lower scores on test measuring these variables; and
2. there were no significant differences in the verbal abilities (word fluency) of
the two groups.
The results support previous research, finding indications of vocal lesions
located across the brains of people suffering from hypertension. Practical
implications of the results are discussed and recommendations for future research
have been made...