Jongbloed-Pereboom Marjolein, Spruijt Steffie, Nijhuis-van der Sanden Maria W G, Steenbergen Bert
Behavioural Science Institute (Ms Jongbloed-Pereboom, Ms Spruijt, and Dr Steenbergen), Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare (Dr Nijhuis-van der Sanden), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; School of Psychology (Dr Steenbergen), Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia.
Pediatr Phys Ther. 2016 Spring;28(1):33-9. doi: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000000211.
To compare age-related action planning performance on 3 different tasks, focusing on differences in task complexity.
A total of 119 participants were divided across 6 age groups (4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-12, 14-16, and 20-22 years). Participants performed 3 action planning tasks: the overturned cup task, the bar transport task, and the sword task. Anticipatory planning was assessed via the proportion of comfortable end postures.
The increase in proportion of comfortable end postures developed more gradually for the overturned cup task with earlier ceiling effect (6 years) than for the other 2 tasks (10 years and no ceiling). The overturned cup task correlated fairly with the other tasks; the bar transport task and sword task correlated moderately.
All 3 tasks can be used to measure aspects of action planning but outcomes vary. Therefore, we recommend combining these tasks in assessments of individual children to obtain a good indication of action planning development.
