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Rahman A, Schmitter-Edgecombe M, Krishnan A, Cunningham R, Pare N, Beadle J, Warren DE, Rabin L. Concurrent Validity of Performance-Based Measures of Daily Functioning with Cognitive Measures and Informant Reported Everyday Functioning. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2024:acae077. [PMID: 39342453 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acae077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 08/23/2024] [Accepted: 09/11/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite the substantial need for reliable and valid assessment of functional ability in older adults, there is currently limited research on the emergence of early functional declines during prodromal dementia stages, such as subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This study uses novel performance-based assessments to characterize subtle, yet clinically meaningful, changes in functional ability. METHOD A sample of 93 older adults classified as cognitively unimpaired (CU; n = 30, Mage = 73.57 ± 6.66), SCD (n = 34, Mage = 72.56 ± 6.43), or MCI (n = 29, Mage = 78.28 ± 7.55) underwent neuropsychological testing along with an informant-rated daily functional skills measure (Assessment of Functional Capacity Interview). Participants also completed the Night Out Task (NOT), an open-ended performance-based measure of functional assessment, and the Financial Capacity Instrument-Short Form (FCI-SF) that assesses financial skills. RESULTS The MCI group performed worse on the NOT and FCI-SF relative to SCD and CU. NOT and FCI scores were associated with measures of global cognitive function, executive function, processing speed, language and memory, and FCI-SF overall score was correlated with informant-rated functional ability. The NOT and FCI-SF were also predictive of informant-reported daily functioning over and above traditional cognitive data and demographics. CONCLUSIONS Performance-based measures of IADL may allow for earlier detection of subtle functional changes that might not be adequately captured by traditional measures. The measurement of early functional changes is an important global outcome to evaluate the efficacy of interventions in dementia research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneela Rahman
- Department of Psychology, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Psychology, Queens College, City University of New York, Queens, NY 11367, USA
| | | | - Anjali Krishnan
- Department of Psychology, Brooklyn College, City University of New York, Brooklyn, NY 11210, USA
| | - Reanne Cunningham
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
| | - Nadia Pare
- Gaylord Specialty Hospital, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Janelle Beadle
- Department of Gerontology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE 68182, USA
| | - David E Warren
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Laura Rabin
- Department of Psychology, Brooklyn College, City University of New York, Brooklyn, NY 11210, USA
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Ricchetti G, Navarro-Egido A, Rodríguez-Bailón M, Salazar-Frías D, Narganes-Pineda C, Funes MJ. Identifying conflict monitoring as a specific executive component that contributes to impaired self-awareness in patients with acquired brain injury. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2024:1-14. [PMID: 39157972 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2024.2391363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Impaired self-awareness (SA) after acquired brain injury (ABI) has traditionally been linked to deficits in executive functions. However, conflicting findings about this relationship have been reported in the literature. This inconsistency is probably due to the multicomponent nature of both constructs, as not all aspects of executive functions may be equally relevant to all components of self-awareness. This study explored whether offline SA (i.e. metacognitive knowledge) and online SA (i.e. error detection) relate to a less studied executive component, conflict monitoring/resolution. METHOD Twenty-six patients with ABI performed the Three-Conflict Cognitive Control Task (3CCT), an experimental task that allowed to measure the ability to monitor and solve three different types of conflicts (Distractors-filtering, Spatial Stroop and Simon). Measures of SA were collected: offline SA was based on self-informant discrepancy about patient's everyday functional difficulties, and online SA was based on error detection abilities during a performance-based naturalistic task (The Breakfast Conflict Task). RESULTS After controlling for global cognition, the conflict monitoring measure of 3CCT demonstarted incremental validity in predicting offline and online SA measured in naturalistic tasks. CONCLUSIONS Conflict monitoring/resolution seems to be an important component of SA. This finding contributes to further understand the relationship between executive functions and SA. In addition, conflict monitoring/resolution is an executive component that should be considered when designing assessment and intervention strategies to deal with ISA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Ricchetti
- Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Centre (CIMCYC), Experimental Psychology Department, School of Psychology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Alba Navarro-Egido
- Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Centre (CIMCYC), Experimental Psychology Department, School of Psychology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - María Rodríguez-Bailón
- Physiotherapy (Occupational Therapy) Department, Health Science School, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Daniel Salazar-Frías
- Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Centre (CIMCYC), Experimental Psychology Department, School of Psychology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Cristina Narganes-Pineda
- Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Centre (CIMCYC), Experimental Psychology Department, School of Psychology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Mª Jesús Funes
- Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Centre (CIMCYC), Experimental Psychology Department, School of Psychology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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Romero-Ayuso D, del Pino-González A, Torres-Jiménez A, Juan-González J, Celdrán FJ, Franchella MC, Ortega-López N, Triviño-Juárez JM, Garach-Gómez A, Arrabal-Fernández L, Medina-Martínez I, González P. Enhancing Ecological Validity: Virtual Reality Assessment of Executive Functioning in Children and Adolescents with ADHD. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:986. [PMID: 39201921 PMCID: PMC11353110 DOI: 10.3390/children11080986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND SmartAction-VR uses virtual reality to simulate daily life tasks and assess cognitive performance based on the multi-errand paradigm. This study explored whether this new task could provide insights into the executive functioning of children and adolescents with ADHD in their everyday activities. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2021 and December 2022. It consisted of one session and was divided into two parts (cognitive tests; and SmartAction-VR). The sample comprised 76 children and adolescents with a median age (IQR) of 13 (11-14) years and an age range of 9-17 years. Of these participants, 60.50% (n = 46) were males. Out of this sample, 40 participants were in the ADHD group and 36 were in the neurotypical group. The following instruments were used: Waisman Activities of Daily Living Scale, Assessment of Sensory Processing and Executive Functioning, Pediatric Simulator Disease Questionnaire, Digit span subtest, Stroop test, NEPSY-II Subtest of Auditory Attention and Cognitive Flexibility, Trail Making Test, Zoo Map Test, and SmartAction-VR. RESULTS The ADHD group demonstrated lower accuracy (U = 406, p = 0.010), higher values for total errors (U = 292, p = 0.001), more commissions (U = 417, p = 0.003), new actions (U = 470, p = 0.014), and forgetting actions (U = 406, p = 0.010), as well as fewer perseverations compared to the neurotypical group (U = 540.5, p = 0.029). Additionally, participants who forgot more actions were found to have lower independence in daily life (r = -0.281, p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS The correlations between the results of SmartAction-VR and activities of daily living, as well as cognitive tests, suggest that this new task could be useful for evaluating executive functioning in daily life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dulce Romero-Ayuso
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy Division, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (A.d.P.-G.); (A.T.-J.); (M.C.F.); (N.O.-L.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada, Ibs Granada, 18012 Granada, Spain
- Brain, Mind and Behaviour Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain
| | - Antonio del Pino-González
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy Division, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (A.d.P.-G.); (A.T.-J.); (M.C.F.); (N.O.-L.)
| | - Antonio Torres-Jiménez
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy Division, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (A.d.P.-G.); (A.T.-J.); (M.C.F.); (N.O.-L.)
| | - Jorge Juan-González
- Department of Computing Systems, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 02006 Albacete, Spain; (J.J.-G.); (F.J.C.); (P.G.)
| | - Francisco Javier Celdrán
- Department of Computing Systems, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 02006 Albacete, Spain; (J.J.-G.); (F.J.C.); (P.G.)
| | - María Constanza Franchella
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy Division, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (A.d.P.-G.); (A.T.-J.); (M.C.F.); (N.O.-L.)
| | - Nuria Ortega-López
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy Division, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (A.d.P.-G.); (A.T.-J.); (M.C.F.); (N.O.-L.)
| | - José Matías Triviño-Juárez
- Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain;
| | - Ana Garach-Gómez
- Centro de Salud Zaidín Sur, Servicio Andaluz de Salud, 18007 Granada, Spain;
| | - Luisa Arrabal-Fernández
- Servicio de Neuropediatría, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain; (L.A.-F.); (I.M.-M.)
| | - Inmaculada Medina-Martínez
- Servicio de Neuropediatría, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain; (L.A.-F.); (I.M.-M.)
| | - Pascual González
- Department of Computing Systems, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 02006 Albacete, Spain; (J.J.-G.); (F.J.C.); (P.G.)
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Suchy Y, DesRuisseaux LA, Gereau Mora M, Brothers SL, Niermeyer MA. Conceptualization of the term "ecological validity" in neuropsychological research on executive function assessment: a systematic review and call to action. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2024; 30:499-522. [PMID: 38251679 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617723000735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE "Ecological validity" (EV) is classically defined as test's ability to predict real-world functioning, either alone or together with test's similarity to real-world tasks. In neuropsychological literature on assessment of executive functions (EF), EV is conceptualized inconsistently, leading to misconceptions about the utility of tests. The goal of this systematic review was to examine how EV is conceptualized in studies of EF tests described as ecologically valid. METHOD MEDLINE and PsychINFO Databases were searched. PRISMA guidelines were observed. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, this search yielded 90 articles. Deductive content analysis was employed to determine how the term EV was used. RESULTS About 1/3 of the studies conceptualized EV as the test's ability to predict functional outcomes, 1/3 as both the ability to predict functional outcome and similarity to real-world tasks, and 1/3 were either unclear about the meaning of the term or relied on notions unrelated to classical definitions (e.g., similarity to real-world tasks alone, association with other tests, or the ability to discriminate between populations). CONCLUSIONS Conceptualizations of the term EV in literature on EF assessment vary grossly, subsuming the notions of criterion, construct, and face validity, as well as sensitivity/specificity. Such inconsistency makes it difficult to interpret clinical utility of tests that are described as ecologically valid. We call on the field to require that, at minimum, the term EV be clearly defined in all publications, or replaced with more concrete terminology (e.g., criterion validity).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yana Suchy
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | | | | | - Madison A Niermeyer
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Suchy Y, Gereau Mora M, Brothers SL, DesRuisseaux LA. Six elements test vs D-KEFS: what does "Ecological Validity" tell us? J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2024; 30:350-359. [PMID: 38465734 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617723000723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Extensive research shows that tests of executive functioning (EF) predict instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) but are nevertheless often criticized for having poor ecological validity. The Modified Six Elements Test (MSET) is a pencil-and-paper test that was developed to mimic the demands of daily life, with the assumption that this would result in a more ecologically valid test. Although the MSET has been extensively validated in its ability to capture cognitive deficits in various populations, support for its ability to predict functioning in daily life is mixed. This study aimed to examine the MSET's ability to predict IADLs assessed via three different modalities relative to traditional EF measures. METHOD Participants (93 adults aged 60 - 85) completed the MSET, traditional measures of EF (Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System; D-KEFS), and self-reported and performance-based IADLs in the lab. Participants then completed three weeks of IADL tasks at home, using the Daily Assessment of Independent Living and Executive Skills (DAILIES) protocol. RESULTS The MSET predicted only IADLs completed at home, while the D-KEFS predicted IADLs across all three modalities. Further, the D-KEFS predicted home-based IADLs beyond the MSET when pitted against each other, whereas the MSET did not contribute beyond the D-KEFS. CONCLUSIONS Traditional EF tests (D-KEFS) appear to be superior to the MSET in predicting IADLs in community-dwelling older adults. The present results argue against replacing traditional measures with the MSET when addressing functional independence of generally high-functioning and cognitive healthy older adult patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yana Suchy
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Brown KD, Schmitter-Edgecombe M. A Clinic-Based Measure of Everyday Planning Ability: The Overnight Trip Task. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2024; 39:51-64. [PMID: 37489707 PMCID: PMC10802221 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acad052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Traditional measures of cognitive abilities most used by neuropsychologists are generally low in ecological validity and only capture a small proportion of the variance of a person's true functional capacity. This study evaluates the association between clinic-based performance and parallel real-world completion of an everyday planning test, the Overnight Trip Task (OTT). METHOD A cross-sectional cohort of 65 community-dwelling older adults completed a battery of cognitive assessments and two formats of the OTT: the paper-and-pencil clinic OTT, which was completed remotely through video conferencing (Zoom), and the parallel real-world OTT (RW-OTT), which was completed at home between sessions. Both formats required participants to plan for what they would pack and prepare for a hypothetical overnight trip based on a provided story that included rules and embedded contingencies. RESULTS The clinic OTT demonstrated a small-to-moderate relationship with the RW-OTT (r = 0.35) and no relationship with measures of learning, long delay recall, an executive function composite, and a measure of everyday planning. Hierarchical regressions indicated that the clinic OTT demonstrated incremental validity above an executive function composite measure and global cognition when predicting self-reported everyday functioning and RW-OTT performance. CONCLUSIONS The clinic OTT showed only modest association with the RW-OTT and discriminate but not convergent validity was demonstrated. The clinic OTT showed incremental validity when predicting self-reported everyday functioning and RW-OTT performance above more traditional measures. Before the clinic OTT could be considered a reliable and valid clinic-based measure for predicting real-world behavior, additional research would be needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn D Brown
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
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Slachevsky A, Grandi F, Thumala D, Baez S, Santamaria-García H, Schmitter-Edgecombe M, Parra MA. A Multidimensional, Person-Centered Framework for Functional Assessment in Dementia: Insights from the 'What', 'How', 'To Whom', and 'How Much' Questions. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 99:1187-1205. [PMID: 38758997 PMCID: PMC11178450 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Dementia is a syndrome characterized by cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with progressive functional decline (FD). FD is a core diagnostic criterion for dementia, setting the threshold between its prodromal stages and the full-blown disease. The operationalization of FD continues to generate a great deal of controversy. For instance, the threshold of FD for the diagnosis of dementia varies across diagnostic criteria, supporting the need for standardization of this construct. Moreover, there is a need to reconsider how we are measuring FD to set boundaries between normal aging, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia. In this paper, we propose a multidimensional framework that addresses outstanding issues in the assessment of FD: i) What activities of daily living (ADLs) are necessary to sustain an independent living in aging? ii) How to assess FD in individuals with suspected neurocognitive disorders? iii) To whom is the assessment directed? and iv) How much does FD differentiate healthy aging from mild and major neurocognitive disorders? Importantly, the To Whom Question introduces a person-centered approach that regards patients and caregivers as active agents in the assessment process of FD. Thus, once impaired ADLs have been identified, patients can indicate how significant such impairments are for them in daily life. We envisage that this new framework will guide future strategies to enhance functional assessment and treatment of patients with dementia and their caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Slachevsky
- Gerosciences Center for Brain Health and Metabolism (GERO), Santiago, Chile
- Memory and Neuropsychiatric Center (CMYN) Neurology Department, Hospital del Salvador & Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Neuropsychology and Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory (LANNEC), Physiopathology Department – ICBM, Neuroscience and East Neuroscience Departments, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Providencia, Santiago, Chile
- Servicio de Neurología, Departamento de Medicina, Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fabrissio Grandi
- Gerosciences Center for Brain Health and Metabolism (GERO), Santiago, Chile
- School of Psychology, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniela Thumala
- Gerosciences Center for Brain Health and Metabolism (GERO), Santiago, Chile
- Psychology Department, Faculty of Social Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sandra Baez
- Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
- Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health at the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI), Trinity College Dublin (TCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Hernando Santamaria-García
- Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, PhD Program of Neuroscience, Bogotá, Colombia
- Center for Brain and Memory Intellectus. Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Maureen Schmitter-Edgecombe
- Herbert L. Eastlick Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Mario A. Parra
- Department of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
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Suchy Y, Gereau Mora M, DesRuisseaux LA, Brothers SL. It's complicated: Executive functioning moderates impacts of daily busyness on everyday functioning in community-dwelling older adults. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2023; 29:850-858. [PMID: 37057862 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617723000048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Research shows that cognitively healthy older adults with mild executive function (EF) weaknesses are vulnerable to the negative impacts of life complexity (or daily busyness) when performing instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). However, past research assessed life complexity only at one timepoint, not capturing daily fluctuations. Importantly, fluctuations in busyness can themselves have deleterious impacts on functioning. This study extended past research by examining whether (1) variability in daily busyness would be more detrimental than level of busyness to performance of IADLs, and (2) EF assessed at home would moderate deleterious impact of busyness on IADLs. METHOD Fifty-two community-dwelling older adults aged 60 to 95 completed daily IADL tasks and daily measures of EF and busyness via ecological momentary assessment, independently at home for 18 days. RESULTS (1) In a subset of participants with mild EF weaknesses, high variability in busyness across days was associated with fewer tasks completed correctly; and (2) across all participants (regardless of EF), high levels of daily busyness were associated with fewer tasks completed on time. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate that high variability in daily busyness, potentially reflecting a lack of daily routine, was associated with IADL errors among cognitively healthy older adults with mild EF weaknesses. Additionally, consistently high levels of busyness were associated with failures to complete tasks, or failures to complete them on time, regardless of EF. These results further support the Contextually Valid Executive Assessment (ConVExA) model, which posits that EF and contextual factors interact to predict functional outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yana Suchy
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | | | - Stacey L Brothers
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Chilton RL, Schmitter-Edgecombe M. Assessing functional ability of healthy adults with the Night Out Task. Clin Neuropsychol 2023; 37:1302-1320. [PMID: 35848169 PMCID: PMC9845424 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2022.2096485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Given the negative health outcomes associated with functional loss, there is need to better understand the trajectory of functional change and compensation use with age. Many older adults successfully age in place, and there is not a one-to-one relationship between cognitive changes and ability to live independently. This study compared healthy age cohorts' performance and approach on a functional measure, particularly examining compensatory strategy use to support task performance. Methods: 57 young adults (YAs; ages 18-39), 42 young-old adults (YOAs; ages 60-69) and 47 old-old (OOAs; ages 70+) completed the Night Out Task (NOT); an open-ended functional assessment in which participants complete eight subtasks in preparation for a night out with a friend (e.g. prepare tea and gather items for a recipe). The NOT measures both primary outcome variables (e.g. time and accuracy), error types and 'compensation variables', which are process-approach variables intended to map on to the types of compensatory strategies individuals use in their everyday lives (e.g. planning and checking). Results: Results revealed that YAs performed better than the oldest group on the NOT in accuracy, execution time and number of both inefficient and inaccurate/incomplete errors. YAs additionally used fewer compensatory strategies than both older groups. Only one compensation variable had a positive relationship to outcome; double-checking was related to improved accuracy and fewer inaccurate/incomplete errors within the oldest cohort. Conclusion: Together these findings support a spectrum of functional change with age. While compensation use increased with age, the relationship between compensation use and outcome was unclear. Future work is needed to understand under what conditions older adults' self-initiate compensation use and to understand the relationship between compensation use and outcome.
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Suchy Y, Lipio Brothers S, DesRuisseaux LA, Gereau MM, Davis JR, Chilton RLC, Schmitter-Edgecombe M. Ecological validity reconsidered: the Night Out Task versus the D-KEFS. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2022; 44:562-579. [PMID: 36412540 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2022.2142527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although executive functioning (EF) correlates with execution of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), tests of EF have been criticized for having poor ecological validity. Attempts have been made to develop new tests that approximate naturalistic daily tasks. However, the incremental utility of such tests has not been convincingly demonstrated. The Night Out Task (NOT) is a novel measure designed to increase ecological validity. This study examined whether the NOT correlates with traditional lab- and home-based measures of EF and IADLs, and whether it outperforms traditional measures of EF in predicting IADLs. METHOD Participants (50 adults aged 60 to 95) completed (1) the Delis Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) and IADLs in the laboratory, and (2) ecological momentary assessment of EF and daily IADL tasks at home across three weeks (using the Daily Assessment of Independent Living and Executive Skills protocol; DAILIES). RESULTS The NOT correlated with a lab-based measure of EF beyond covariates, and lab-based IADLs beyond covariates and beyond the D-KEFS. However, it was unrelated to at-home variables beyond covariates. In contrast, the D-KEFS was a significant predictor of at-home IADLs, and this association was mediated by at-home EF performance. CONCLUSION This study provides a preliminary validation of the NOT as a correlate of office-based performances in a primarily college educated white sample. Despite its high face validity, the NOT does not appear to sufficiently tap EF processes needed for home-based IADLs as measured by the DAILIES, although small sample size limits the interpretability of this negative finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yana Suchy
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | | | - Michelle M Gereau
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Justin R Davis
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Giles GM, Edwards DF, Wolf TJ. Methodological Issues in Advancing the Status of Functional Cognitive Assessment. OTJR-OCCUPATION PARTICIPATION AND HEALTH 2022; 42:253-259. [PMID: 35950696 DOI: 10.1177/15394492221116435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Many individuals in acute hospital and post-acute care settings experience changes in their capacity to perform complex activities of daily living associated with deficits in functional cognition. Occupational therapists regularly assess and treat these occupational performance deficits. The construct of functional cognition offers oportunities for occupational therapists to define an approach to cognition that is both distinct from that of other disciplines and that supports evidence-based interventions. This article provides a rationale for performance-based assessment of functional cognition and an overview of the methodological issues associated with the development and implementation of reliable and valid screening and comprehensive asseements of functional.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon Muir Giles
- Samuel Merritt University, Oakland, CA, USA.,Crestwood Behavioral Health, Inc., Sacramento, CA, USA
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