A Modified Test of Goal-directed Behaviour: a Feasibility Study

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust30 enrolled

Overview

Cognitive assessment plays an important part in decision making in acute neurological settings, partly because difficulties with cognitive skills such as attention, memory and executive functioning (which includes planning and problem-solving) have direct implications for patents' levels of independence and safety upon discharge. A bedside cognitive task that could shed light upon a patient's ability to demonstrate effective goal-directed behaviour (potentially along with other aspects of executive functioning such as cognitive flexibility) would be a useful addition to the existing repertoire of bedside cognitive assessments. One such test could be 'Link's Cube'. The Link's Cube Test is impractical for bedside use in an acute ward setting, as it comprises 27 small blocks. The feasibility study aims to preserve the information that is provided by Link's Cube Test (i.e. an indication of the patient's ability to engage in goal-directed behaviour) whilst altering the testing material such that only nine, slightly larger blocks are used. The objectives for the feasibility study are: * To identify any practical difficulties in administration of the tests that may not be apparent without trialling them * To generate information regarding the timing and sequence of overall administration and in particular the proposed modified Link's Cube test * To obtain feedback from neuropsychologists about ease of administration of the proposed new test and to obtain their views regarding potential benefits

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Cognitive Impairment

Interventions

Five cognitive tasksOTHER

The five tests are: * Link's Cube: participants are asked to construct a large cube from 27 smaller cubes such that the outer surface is all the same colour * Modified Links' Cube: participants are asked to construct a large cube from 9 smaller blocks such that the outer surface is all the same colour, and then amend their response according to 2 further instructions * D-KEFS Tower Test - participants are asked to move discs of varying sizes across three pegs to build a target tower in as few moves as possible * Weigl test - participants are asked to sort blocks into one group according to shape/colour and then shift mental set by sorting them according to the second characteristic * Brixton Spatial Anticipation test - participants are asked to detect rules and rule changes when presented a targets that changes location

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion criteria for the main (non-neuropsychologist) element include: * General population. For convenience at this feasibility study stage this will be largely comprised of colleagues working with GHT, above the age of 18, with no upper age limit. * Have given informed consent having followed the procedure in the protocol * Have the physical/sensory abilities to undertake the test procedures (e.g. use of both hands, adequate vision) * Sufficient English language to be able to follow test instructions Exclusion criteria for the main (non-neuropsychologist) element include: * Under the age of 18 * Refusal/inability to give informed consent * Insufficient English language to be able to follow test instructions * Using cognitive testing as part of their clinical work, or ongoing familiarity with cognitive tests. * Working directly with the main investigator. * Presence of a self-reported cognitive difficulty/neurological condition - not because that in itself would be problematic for test administration or for the information generated, but rather to avoid potential distress to participants were they to find the tests administered challenging. * Presence of any physical/sensory/cognitive difficulty that would confound administration of the tasks, e.g. being partially sighted or having use of only one upper limb * There are no exclusion criteria based on gender identity, ethnicity or handedness. * There are no exclusion criteria relating to medication. Inclusion criteria for the PPI (neuropsychologist) element include: * clinical psychologists in GHT who have or have had a role that involves the administration of cognitive tests * Have given informed consent having followed the procedure in the protocol * Have the physical/sensory abilities to undertake the test procedures (e.g. use of both hands, adequate vision) * Sufficient English language to be able to follow test instructions Exclusion criteria for the PPI (neuropsychologist) element include: * Under the age of 18 * Refusal/inability to give informed consent * Insufficient English language to be able to follow test instructions * Presence of a self-reported cognitive difficulty/neurological condition - not because that in itself would be problematic for test administration or for the information generated, but rather to avoid potential distress to participants were they to find the tests administered challenging. * Presence of any physical/sensory/cognitive difficulty that would confound administration of the tasks, e.g. being partially sighted or having use of only one upper limb * There are no exclusion criteria based on gender identity, ethnicity or handedness. * There are no exclusion criteria relating to medication.

A Modified Test of Goal-directed Behaviour: a Feasibility Study

Overview

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (2)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Central Contacts