Results of the Stroop test among patients suffering from recurrent depressive disorders and organic depressive disorders

Background: The aim of this study was to compare Stroop tests results of patients diagnosed with depressive disorders and organic depressive disorders.
Material and Methods: A sample of 129 persons aged 20–68 years participated in the study and were divided into 2 groups: recurrent depressive disorders (RDD, n=100) and organic depressive disorders (ODD, n=29). Cognitive functions were evaluated by the Stroop tests.
Results: Relevant statistical differences between the examined groups were observed in performing both parts of the Stroop test: part RCNb/time RDD/ODD (p=0.033); part NCWd/time: RDD/ODD (p=0.042); part NCWd/errors: RDD/ODD (p=0.003); overall mean time: RDD/ODD (p=0.027). In both cases, RDD group patients scored higher than the patients from the ODD group.
Conclusions: 1. The patients with organic depressive disorders achieved significantly lower Stroop tests results than patients with depressive disorders. 2. The authors determined the Stroop test performance indicators differentiating the tested groups: part RCNb/time: RDD >16–51 sec.; ODD >21–62 sec.; part NCWd/time: RDD >33–125 sec.; ODD >61–136 sec.; part NCWd/errors: RDD >0–8; ODD >1–14; mean time in the Stroop test: RDD >26–86 sec.; ODD >43–97 sec.

Keywords: recurrent depressive disorder, organic depressive disorder, Stroop test