Quality of Life in Behavioral Medicine Research

Merrill F. Elias
Penelope K. Elias
The University of Maine

Janet Cobb
Ralph D'Agostino
Boston University

Lon R. White
National Institute on Aging

Philip A. Wolf
Boston University School of Medicine

In this chapter we focus on the design features and results of a series of three investigations of relationships between blood pressure and cognitive functioning employing the Framingham Heart Study population ( Elias, Wolf, D'Agostino, Cobb, & White, 1993; Farmer et al., 1990; Farmer, White, Abbott, et al. 1987). The results of the Elias et al. ( 1993) study indicated that blood pressure level and chronicity of hypertension were inversely related to measures of neuropsychological test performance, particularly those measures sensitive to memory processes and learning dependent on memory. This was true even though blood pressure and chronicity of hypertension were assessed 12 to 14 years prior to neuropsychological testing. By reviewing the relevant literature, by comparing the Elias et al. ( 1993) study with two previous studies of the same population ( Farmer et al., 1990; Farmer, White, Kittner, et al., 1987), and by performing additional data analysis for the third, we illustrate design features that may have influenced the outcome of these studies. Such features include using

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