Trait-anxiety and achievement motivation are positively correlated with memory performance in patients who visit a geriatric outpatient clinic with amnestic symptoms.

Memory performance was studied in relation to anxiety and achievement motivation in a sample of 35 patients who were referred to a geriatric outpatient clinic for their complaints of memory dysfunction. State-anxiety appeared not to be associated with memory performance or the severity of dementia. Trait-anxiety and achievement motivation were associated positively with memory performance and negatively with the severity of dementia. The evaluation of anxiety symptoms in the assessment of dementia is recommended.