INTRODUCTION

The psychiatrists, neurologists and clinical psychologists working in India have

long telt the need for a short simple, objective and valid test of memory. Sucha battery
of memory tests (PGI-Memory Scale) was constructed and standardized in 1977. It
contains 10 sub-tests H.Remote memory, Il. Recent memory, Ill. Mental balance, IV.
Attention concentration, V. Delayed recal, VI. Immediate recall (sequential reproduc
tion of sentences), VIl. Retention for similar pairs,VIll. Retention for dissimilar pairs,
IX. Visualretention and X. Recognition.While construction memory scale efforts were
made to ensure that it was not unduly dependent on intelligence and was equally valid
for both sexes and applicable and acceptable to iliterate and unsophisticated sub
jects who constituted majority of subjects in Indian hospitals and clinics.
The simplest definition of momory as commonly understood by clinicians was
used, i. e. the memory is an ability to retain and reproduce impressions once per
ceived intentionally". This definition includes compartmental views of very short term,
short term and long term membory. The scale was validated against four hypotheses
-that () the subjects suffering from neurological disorders would obtain poorer scores
than thesubjects suffering from functional psychiatric illness, (i) the older subjects
should obtain lower scores than younger normal adults, (ii) the scores on memory
scale should havepositive relationship with education and (iv) it should not have high
correlation with intelligence test scores. Reliability of the PG-Memory Scale was tested
byrepeating the scale after an interval of one week. Quintile norms were developed
for the subjectsin the age range of 20-45 years for three educational levels (i. e. 0-5,
6-9', and 10+above' years of schooling) separately for each of the ten sub-tests.
Means and Standard deviations of the scores were also provided for the subjects up
to theage of 69 years (10years grouping) for three educational levels.
The PGI-Memory Scale (PGIMS) has become a popular memory scale
throughout India andhas replaced the Boston Memory Scale and Wechsler Memory
Scale at both the premier institutes of psychiatry i. e. National Institute of Mental Health
and NeuroSciences, Bangalore and Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi. Since the
 4 | Manual for PGIMS-PW
inception of PGIMS, a number of studies have published in the
usabilityin varied fields of research. Evaluation
of memory iournal(ussinshgowing its
functioning
in cannabis users(\Wig and Varma, 1977; Ray. Prabhu, Mohan, Nath
depression and NekiP,GI1976)
yoga exercise group (Sahasi, 1984), relationship with MMS
differentiation of hemispheric lesion in epileptics (Abraham and (Agnihotri,
Mathai, 1980)1984)and,
neuropsychological assessment of organic brain dysfunction (Pershad,
1984a, 1984b, 1984c, 1984d). Pershad and Verma, (1987) have Verma et al.
documented. In addition to this, the PGIMS has been used in a numberrof been wel
theses at master's and doctoral level and the funded research projects.
clinical usages, PGIMS is being incorporated as one of
dis e
Inrtations,
the major,important routine
teeststoof
evaluate cognitive functions and organic brain dysfunctions in thee doubtful cases
organic brain pathology(Sidana et al. 1982). The PGIMS has also been adapted and
translatedfor its local use in afew Indian |languages apart fromitssavailability in Hind
and English from its publisher.
Validity
PGI-Memory Scale (PGIMS) was found to have correlation of .71 with Boston
Memory Scale and.85 withWechsler Memory Scale. It also confirmed the four hypoth
eses set to demonstrate its validity. The results are given in tables 1 and 2.
TABLE 1
Correlations of PGI-Memory Scale with age, education, peformance
IQ and verbal IQ.
Age Education Performance Verbal
Sr. LQ.
No. SUB-TESTS
N=340 N= 60 N=70
N=340
29 21
Remote Memory -.08 .22
22 24
Recent Memory -.06 .09
53 29
II. Mental Balance .25 .74
.30 .37
Attention Concentration -.15 .63
.41 20
V. Delayed recall -.23 .59
29
VI. Immediate recalI -15 .52 .36
44
VII. Retention for similar pairs -.17 45 25
VIiII.
49
Retention for dissimilar pairs -.32 49 43
.37
IX. Visual retention 55
-.33 .67 .26
X. 43
Recognition -20 .36
 Manual for PGIMS-Pw5
The correlations of first two columns were computed on 340 normal subjects
(attendants of the psychiatric patients) in the age range of 20-70 years. The correla
tions in the last two columns are based on psychiatric patients. Performance IQ was
tested on Bhatia's short scale and verbal IQ was tested on 4 subtests of verbal section
of WAIS, i.e. Information, Comprehension, Arithmetic and Digit span tests. Correla
tions were computedwith raw scores, not with lQ. (Pershad and Wig, 1978: 1979.
Pershad and Verma, 1980).
TABLE 2
Mean scores of different groups of cases on 10subtests of PGI-Memory Scale
Sub-tests IV V VI VII VII X
4.12 3.57 3.92 6.40 5.68 5.09 2.79 5.43 3.96 4.87
Organic
(N= 90) (1.56) (1.48) (2.78) (2.67) (2.85) (2.78) (1.72) (4.22) (3.31)| (3.12)
Psychotic 4.81 4.32 5.13 7.93 6.86 6.31 3.63 4.48 5.69 7.20

(N= 90) (1.28) (0.82) (2.96) (2.66) (2.08) (2.27) (1.31) (4.18)(3.72) (2.36)
Neutrotic 5.62 4.80 6.11 8.53 7.82 7.53 4.04 10.69 7.90 8.46

(N= 90) (0.59) (0.36) (2.39) (1.87) (1.64) (1.99) (1.03) (3.69) (3.43) (1.55)
Normal 5.78 4.91 5.69 8.46 6.99 7.41 4.36 11.00 8.20 8.36

(N= 90) (0.52) (0.29) (2.64) (1.91) (1.53) (1.98) (0.78) (3.59) (3.28)| (1.61)
F-Value* 47.31 50.49 24.37 27.55 31.09 27.92 30.34 47.22 47.69 59.45
Elder 5.5 4.74 4.86 7.98 7.16 6.86 3.92 4.46 5.78 7.48

Subject
(Above 50
yrs. of age)
(N= 50) (0.98) (0.77) (2.93) (2.01) (1.68) (2.06) (0.99) (3.67) (3.44)| (1.96)
Matched 5.8 4.94 6.14 8.56 7.96 7.48 4.28 11.44 8.12 8.32

Younger
(20-45 yrs.
of age)
(N= 50) |(0.45) (0.24) (2.76) (2.11) (1.65) (1.88) (0.87) (3.58) (3.29) 1.56

t- Value 1.93* 1.75* 2.26* 1.41** 2.42* 1.57*** 1.93* 3.94* 34.9* 2.38*

"All tvalues' are significant beyond .05 level (one tail test)
*All F-values' are significant beyond .01 level
*N.S.
**t

Approaching significance (p =.06)

Standard deviation are given in parentheses.
 6 Manual for PGIMS-PW
Reliability
So far reliability of the Scale is concerned, it was
jects after an interval of one week. The test-retest reliabilityre-admini
ranged
stered on 40
sub
84 for organic-psychotic groups, .48 and .8484 for 'neurotic-normal between 70 ang
Mean differences were not significant for many of the sub-tests group (Tatbie 3).
(Pershad,
the whole however, an increase of 4points was observed on repeatedI 1977, On
testing. For
these two groups split half reliability was foundto be.91 and.83
TABLE 3 respectively.
Test-Retest reliability of the sCores on 10 sub-tests of PGI-Memory Scale
(one week's Interval)
Sub tests IV V VI VII
Organic r
and psychotic
(N= 20) .78 .84 .85 .81 .81 .76 .77
.74.7071
Neuroticr
and Normal
(N=20) .71 48 .82 .79 .82 .53 .54 .64.84 85
Total r
(N=40) .77 .69 .84 .82 .85 .74 .72 .78.81.82
It thus indicates that the PGI-Memory Scale is reliable and scores are fairly
consistent overthe period of time (Pershad, 1977; Pershad and Wig 1978).
Administration
Administration of the test is simple and similar to other memory tests and clint
cal evaluation of memory. Broad hints for administration are provided in test biain
itself. It is however,advised to consult the Bhargava Research Monograph Senies e
2(Pershad, 1977) for more details. Administration takes nearly 15-20 minutes.
 Manual for PGIMS-pw7
Sub-test
Sr. No. Score Awarded
1. 1
2. 1
3. a

or

b 1
or

C
4. 1
5. 1
6.
1
Total 6

One score for each correct

answer/response.
Maximum possible Score =6.

Sub-test Il
One score for each correct
answer/response.
Maximum possible Score =5.
 PGIMS-PW
8 Manual for
Sub-testll

Alphabetin Forwardorder and Counting in Backward Order):

No. 1 and 2)
Scoring for Alphabet and Counting Backwards (ltem

Three score if all correct within 15seconds.

Two score if takes more than 15 seconds.

One score if there is 1mistake or omission.

omissions
Zero score if there are 2 or more mistakes, or

Scoring for Counting Backwards by 3s (Item No. 3)

Three scores if all correct within 30 seconds.

Two scores if takes longer than 30 seconds, allcorrect.

One score if there is 1 mistake or omission.

Zero score if there are 2 or more mistakes or omissions.

Maximum possible score for the sub-test 3+3+3 = 09.

 Manual for PGIMS-PW9

Sub-test IV

.. Digit forward-number of digits in the longest series correctly

reproduced. (Maximum Possible Score =8)
(o) Diait backward- number of digits in the longest series correctly
reproduced in reversed order. (Maximum Possible Score =7)

Total Score Count -Scoreson digit forward and backward (8 +7=15) will
be the totalscore for this subtest.

Sub-test V

One score for each word correctly recalled.

Total maximum possible score = 10.

10 Manual for PGIMS-PW

Sub-test VI

1 2 3

1. Ram got up from the chair, opened the door and went to markos

1 2
Maximum Score 3
2. Patient was asked to lie down on the table, he waS seen,

3 4
medicine was prescribed and was told to come next day.

Maximum Score 4
1 2
3. Mohan did not have water in his house, he picked-up the bucket,

3 4 5
went to street well, filled up water and returned back.

Maximum Score 5

One score for each clause correctly reproduced.

Total maximum possible score (3 +4+5=12)

 Manual for PGIMS-Pw 11
Sub-test VII

One scorefor each correct reproduction of the

asSSOci ated word of the pair.
Total maximum possible score -5.

Sub-test VIlI

ne score for each tor the correcty reproduced pair, separately for each trail Maximu
three trials.

Total maximum possible score oneach trial and summation of 3trials =54545= 15

Scoring of Sub-test IX
Card 1 Card 2 Card 3 Card 4 Card 5

02 02 02 03 04 = 13

Partial Scoringfor each card is allowed as illustrated below:

Card 1 : reproduction (a) is to be scored as 0 because none of the designs is in its

correct number and (b) as 1, because only 'minus' sign is equal in number
(c) as 2 because al design are similar.
(a) + + +
+ 1
(b) + +
+ 2
+
(c) + +
12 Manual for PGIMS-PW
Card 2: reproduction as shown in
illustration (a) is to be given 0it
show alldesign
are wrongaccording to fiqure (b)
score 1 because only circle is correct in
and order in figure (c). Score2 because all
number
design are similar in fiqure.
(a)

(b)
O+0+O+ 1

(c)
OAOAOA 2

Card 3 : Is scored similar to card 1 and 2

Card 4: reproduction (a) is to be scored as 0 because cone of the design is in

their original position, (b) as 1because only parallel straight lines are in their
correct order and number, (c) is to be scored as 2 because circle and parallel
straight lines are both correct in their number and order, (d) all are similar in
design.

(a)
XO=XO= Score 0

(b) X=OX =0 Score 1

(c) =+0=+ Score 2

(d) O=XO=X Score 3

 Manual for PGIMS-pw 13
reproduction (a) is to be scored as 0
Card5: because none of the designs is
tobe.scored one because only inside fiqurei
Correct,(b)is figure is correct, (c) is
pluSandd1for inside designs being correct, (d) is
scored
2(1for Scored 2 because only
compound design is correct, (e) is scored 3
extreme because only 1type of de-
sign,i.e. plus'is replaced by crosssand remaining whole design in correct.

a)
Score 0

(Scored asObecause none of the design was correct)

-KAK
(b)

(Scored as 1because only inside figure was correct)

Score 1

()
+K A Score 2

(Scored as 2, 1 score forand 1for drawing inside figure of the rectangular)

14 | Manual for PGIM-PW

(d)
K K Score 3
(Scored as 3 because extreme compound figure were correct)

(e)

+A
(Scored4 becauseall figure are similar in manner.)
Score 4

Total maximum possible score 2+2+2+3+4 = 13

Sub-test X

1 score for each object correctly recognized and named.

Deduct1score for each wrong identified object from earned score

Total maximum possible score = 10.

Total maximum possible score for the Full Test

6+5+9+15+10+12+5+15+13+10 = 100
 Manual for PGIMS-Pw 15
Norms
Norms providedIhere
hereare basedon the subjects who who hhad no history of psychi-
atricheurologicalillness, and are above the age of 20 years. Percentile Norms have
|in Table 7, 8, 9.Norms
provided Norms for interpretation have been provided in Table
been
10.
ProfileUse
StatisticalIresults(Means and Standard Deviations) have been given in Table

4,5,6.
the clinical practical
Use of profile rather than total score is advised to increase
the PGI-Memory Scale (PGIMS) and of its score. Scores on most of the sub-
utility of
PGIMS falls below first quintile (below 20th percentile at least on five sub
tests of
organics and below second quintile (below 40th percentile at least on five
tests) in
sub-tests in psychotic cases.
TABLE 4

obtained by subjects with

Means and standard deviations of scores
schooling upto 5years (N= 100)
PGI Memory Scale sub-tests
Age IX X Total
IV V VI VIlI VilI
in Years
3.67 9.29 5.67 7.86 59.14
5.52 4.71 3.29 6.71 6.62 6.00
20 29 M 9.47
0.46 2.26 1.06 1.69 1.38 0.91 2.60 3.12 1.49
(N=21) SD 0.51
6.28 3.44 9.16 5.48 7.68 60.00
30 39 M 5.72 4.48 3.76 6.96 6.68
2.32 1.08 3.68 2.68 1.65 10.97
(N=25) SD 0.46 0.37 2.47 1.48 1.46
4.76 7.00 56.56
4.88 3.32 7.00 6.72 6.24 3.80 7.20
40 49 M 5.64 13.59
1.59 1.71 1.00 4.27 3.17 2.52
(N=25) SD 0.57 0.33 2.27 1.66
3.21 8.21 4.43 7.07 55.29
50 59 M 5.36 4.71 2.71 6.71 6.29 6.71
5.08 2.53 13.99
0.47 2.13 1.20 1.54 1.77 1.19 4.64
(N=14) SD 0.74

60 69 M 5.27 4.83 2.87 6.20 6.20 6.07 3.73 7.53 3.47 6.80 52.67
1.10 2.08 1.32 1.26 1.62 0.80 3.48 2.332.01 8.08
(N= 15) SD 1.19
16 Manual for PGIMS-PW
TABLE5

Means and standard deviationsof scores obtained by subiecte

6-9 years of schooling (N= 98)
Age PGI Memory Scale sub-tests
in Years IV V VI VII VIII IX X Total
20-29 M 5.70 4.82 6.82 8.55 8.05 7.47 4.35 12.10 8.908.70 75.47
(N= 40) SD 0.52 0.38 1.71 1.20 1.88 1.55 0.77 2.67 2.54 1.26 737
30-39 M 5.70 4.85 5.70 8.50 8.00 7.85 4.45 11.65|8.708.75 75.15
(N=20) SD 0.47 0.37 1.53 1.05 1.17 1.31 0.76 2.76 2.54 1.12 7.77
40-49 M 5.67 4.94 6.00 7.78 7.11 6.83 4.11 10.89 5.948.50 67.72
(N= 18) SD 0.48 0.24 1.68 1.26 1.02 2.06 0.83 2.74 2.231.46 7.70
50-59 M 5.83 4.92 6.17 7.58 7.00 7.67 4.30 9.92 6.928.08 71.58
(N=12) SD 0.39 0.29 1.53 1.31 1.35 1.87 0.67 3.15 2.781.08 7.86

60-69 M 5.50 4.87 5.87 8.62 7.37 5.87 4.25 6.75 6.25 7.87 63.50
(N=8) SD 0.76 0.35 2.29 1.68 1.60 2.80 0.71 3.45 3.06 1.13 12.59

TABLE 6
Means and standard deviations of scores obtained by subjects
10 and moreyears of schooling (N= 142)
Age PGI Memory Scale sub-tests
in Years IV V VI VII VIlI IX X Total
20 29 M 5.88 4.88 7.95 10.12 9.13 8.67 4.80 13.22 11.13 9.07 84.82
(N= 60) SD 0.32 0.37 1.32 1.52 0.95 1.72 0.48 2.14 1.97 1.21 6.35

30 39 M 5.73 4.90 7.83 9.77 8.63 8.63 4.53 12.33 10.33 8.87 81.37
(N=30) SD 0.52 0.31 1.66 1.74 1.13 1.88 0.73 2..44 2.50 1.25 7.23

40 49 M 5.83 4.92 8.04 10.21 |8.92 8.50 4.46 11.21| 9.79 8.75 80.62
(N=24) SD 0.64 0.28 1.40 1.89 1.28 1.84 0.66 3.22 2.41 1.59 8.34

50 59 M 6.00 4.92 7.00 9.33 8.00 8.25 4.42 11.08| 9.438.83 77.25
(N=12) SD 0.00 0.29 1.95 2.01 10.74
1.41 1.54 0.90 3.50 3.68 1.40
60 69 M 5.94 4.69 7.62 9.34 8.06 8.44 4.25 11.31 8.75 8.56 77.56
(N= 16) SD 0.25 0.79 2.50 1.73 1.39 1.86 0.68 2.57 2.110.96 8.63
Table 4, 5,6 are reproduced from Pershad and Wig, 1980.
 TABLE 7
Manual for PGIMS-Pw 17
Percentile Norms for 20-45 Years Age Group
Education upto 5 years (N=60)
Sub-tests IV V VI
PR
VII VII IX X Grand
Total
69 9-159-10 9-12 5
13-159-13 10
P0 -P.100 5 8 8
72+
7-8 4 10-12| 7-8 9
Pen-PR0
60 6A-71
6 5 34 7 7 6 4 89 56
P.
40 60 57-63
5 4 6 6 5 5-7 4 7
40 49-56
04 0-3 0-5 05 04 0-2 0403 06 below 48
P-P20
TABLE 8
Education 6 to 9years (N= 60)
Sub-tests VII
Grand
IV V VI VIlI IX X Total
PR
P B0 10-15 10 9-12 15 11-13 84+

P
P00P
80
8 9 5 14 10 10 78-83

P40-P 6 5 7 8 7 4 12-13 8-9 73-77

60
5 4 5-6 7 7 6 4 10-11 6-7 co 67-72
Pon-P
20 40
1-4 1-3 1-4 0-6 1-6 1-5 1-3 1-9 1-5 1-7 below 66
Po-P20

TABLE 9
Education 10 &above years (N=60)
Sub-tests Grand
V V VII VIll IX X Total
PR
15 13 92+
Po-P100 -
12-15 11-12
12 10 87-91
14
Pen-Ps0 11 10 10
82-86
40-P.
P, 60
6 5 8 10 9 9 5 12-13 10-11 9
10-11 8-9 8 76-81
Pon-Po 5 4 7 8 7-8 4
1-9 1-7 |1-7 below 75
1-3 1-6 0-8 1-7
Po-Pao 14 1-6 1-3

N. B. : Norms are based on 180subiects, 60 subjects in each education group

taken amongst the attendants of the patients.
 PGIMS-PW
18|Manual for TABLE 10
Percentiles
Norms for Interpretation of

Sr. No.
Percentile Range Level of Memory

1. P-Pr Excellent Memory

2.
Pa-P0 Above Average Memory

3. Pao-Pes Average/Moderate Memory

4. Pon-Pn Below Average Memor

5.
Po-Pao Low Level Memory