Evaluation of cognitive levels in schizophrenic patients using Allen cognitive level screening (ACLS)

Cognition, a quite complicated skill, is the base of all goal- directed functions of human beings. The impact of cognitive disorders on the functioning of neurologic and psychiatric patients could not be more emphasized. Thus, careful assessment of cognitive capacity to predict how well these kinds of patient will function seems to be necessary. Allen cognitive level screen (ACL) provides a quick estimate of current capacity to learn and remained abilities of patients with cognitive impairments. In this analytical- descriptive study, cognitive levels of 30 inpatients and 30 outpatients with schizophrenia as well as 30 normal subjects were evaluated and subsequently were compared using ACLS. The impact of demographic variables on cognitive level was also determined. Results were statistically analyzed through Pearson correlation and one-way ANOVA. Statically significant difference was found between ACL scores of normal people and patient groups (P < 0.001). There was also a difference between ACL scores of outpatients and inpatients with schizophrenia (P < 0.001). Cognitive level was shown to have a positive correlation with education(r = 0.545), illness-onset age (r = 594) and a negative correlation with length of illness (r = -0.574), period of institutionalization (r = -0.454). There was no significant correlation between cognitive level and demographic variables in normal group. The results of this study indicate that normal group’s cognition level was higher than schizophrenic patients and that the cognitive level of outpatients was better than inpatients. Illness onset age, period of institutionalized, length of illness and education all can influence cognitive level of schizophrenic patients.