The Preschool Kitchen Task Assessment (PKTA): Assessing Validity of a Performance-based Assessment of Executive Function

<p><strong><em>Background and purpose.</em></strong><strong> </strong>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.</p> <p><strong><em>Subjects. </em></strong>Fifteen typically developing preschool-aged children participated in this study.</p> <p><strong><em>Methods. </em></strong>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 <em>r </em>correlation.</p> <p><strong><em>Results. </em></strong>A good significant correlation was found between the PKTA total score and the BRIEF-P Inhibitory Control (<em>r</em>=.52), as well as the Inhibitory Self-Control Index (<em>r</em>=.53). A fair non-significant correlation was found between the PKTA total score and BRIEF-P Global Executive Composite (<em>r</em>=.34), Emotional Control (<em>r</em>=.39) and Working Memory (<em>r</em>=.29) scores. Results showed a moderate non-significant relationship between the PKTA and the Backward Digit Span (<em>r</em>=-.48).</p> <p><strong><em>Discussion and conclusion. </em></strong>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.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Occupational Therapy

Year dc:date.available

2015

Authors dc:creator

• Fry, Emily
• Gilligan, Hayley
• Henty-Clark, Liza
• Weissensee, Jennifer

Contributors dc:contributor

• Julia Wilbarger, PhD, OTR/L
• Kitsum Li, OTD, OTR/L

• occupational therapy
• pediatrics
• assessment
• executive function
• preschool
• validity

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholar.dominican.edu/masters-theses/152

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholar.dominican.edu:masters-theses-1153