Graduation Date
5-2015
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
Department or Program
Occupational Therapy
Department or Program Chair
Ruth Ramsey, EdD, OTR/L
First Reader
Julia Wilbarger, PhD, OTR/L
Second Reader
Kitsum Li, OTD, OTR/L
Abstract
Background and purpose. Executive function (EF) deficits is a growing area of focus in pediatric occupational therapy practice. However, there is a lack of performance-based assessments of EF in preschool-aged children. This study sought to establish preliminary criterion-related validity of the Preschool Kitchen Task Assessment (PKTA), a test of EF in preschoolers developed by Christine Berg, Ph.D., OTR/L, in which children complete a multi-step craft project.
Subjects. Fifteen typically developing preschool-aged children participated in this study.
Methods. An exploratory design was used to assess criterion-related validity of the PKTA. Participants completed the PKTA along with several established neuropsychological assessments of EF: the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function - Preschool Version (BRIEF-P), the Dimensional Change Card Sort, and the Forward and Backward Digit Span Tasks. Relationships between scores were examined by calculating a Pearson r correlation.
Results. A good significant correlation was found between the PKTA total score and the BRIEF-P Inhibitory Control (r=.52), as well as the Inhibitory Self-Control Index (r=.53). A fair non-significant correlation was found between the PKTA total score and BRIEF-P Global Executive Composite (r=.34), Emotional Control (r=.39) and Working Memory (r=.29) scores. Results showed a moderate non-significant relationship between the PKTA and the Backward Digit Span (r=-.48).
Discussion and conclusion. Results support the preliminary validity of the PKTA, particularly the strong relationships found with the BRIEF-P scores. The PKTA was sensitive to age-related cognitive development and demonstrated ecological validity. The PKTA is a promising tool to enable occupational therapists to assess for EF in this age group.