Visual working memory profile of persons with alcohol dependence syndrome: a hospital base comparative study

Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the visual working memory of the persons with alcohol dependence syndrome in northeast India. Further, it aims at exploring the socio demographic correlates of alcohol dependence in North- East India. Methodology: The present study was a cross sectional and comparative in nature. It was conducted at Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam. Patients with ADS were screened both at Outpatient and Inpatient departments of LGBRIMH, Tezpur. At the outpatient level, patients diagnosed with alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) by a consultant psychiatrist were requested to participate in the study. Those who gave informed consent were further screened on ICD-10 DCR criteria (WHO, 1993). They were also evaluated for the inclusion and exclusion criteria set for the present study. For inpatients diagnosed with ADS, similar procedure was followed; however, they were included in the study after 5-10 days of admission. All the participants gave informed written consent for their participation in the study. Thereafter, the socio demographic datasheet and Modified Kuppuswamy’s Socio Economic Scale (2012) were applied, respectively. Finally, the Visual N –Back test was applied. For Group B, matched healthy controls were recruited from community. Those who agreed to participate in the study were first screened on the GHQ-12, and rest of the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Following this, participants gave the written informed consent to participate in the study. These steps were followed by the application of socio demographic datasheet and Modified Kuppuswamy’s Socio Economic Scale. Visual N-back test. Result: – Persons with alcohol dependence group were low performer in Visual N-Back test. It has significant negative relationship with their Age, socio economic status and duration of alcohol intake. Conclusion: Group difference was found in visual working memory. However, the group-A were low performer as compare to group B. Group A has significant negative and positive correlation with visual working memory test. The experimental groups selected variable like age, education, socio economic status and duration of alcohol intake has significant association with visual working memory.