[Study of the effect of reality orientation on a group of psychogeriatric patients].

In 22 mildly deteriorated elderly patients the total score on a reality orientation questionnaire improved after 3 months ROT. This increased knowledge on basic facts was ascertained in both groups: patients who attended the ROT-class and patients who participated in the ROT-discussion-group. It became clear though that the effect of the ROT was limited to those items of the questionnaire that had been offered to the patients. The knowledge of items which had not been offered in the ROT remained unchanged. ROT had no generalized effect on the verbal orientation. It only had a specific effect on trained items of information.