Leyva Arturo, Balachandran Anoop, Britton Jennifer C, Eltoukhy Moataz, Kuenze Christopher, Myers Nicholas D, Signorile Joseph F
Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research and Active Aging and Sports Medicine and Motion Analysis Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences, University of Miami, Max Orovitz Building, 1507 Levante Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA; College of Arts, Sciences and Education, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, ZED Building, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research and Active Aging and Sports Medicine and Motion Analysis Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences, University of Miami, Max Orovitz Building, 1507 Levante Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA.
Physiol Behav. 2017 Mar 15;171:100-109. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.01.002. Epub 2017 Jan 4.
A reduction in executive function (EF) performance is a major factor associated with the loss of functional independence among older adults. Computer-based tests are commonly used to evaluate EF; however, these mouse or keyboard tests are upper limb dominant while most activities of daily living (ADL, e.g. crossing a street) are lower limb dominant. The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of a newly developed walking EF test called the Walking Response and Inhibition Test (WRIT). The WRIT was validated by comparing its results a number of established computer-based tests and to an ADL-related test known to require EF, the Timed "Up & Go" Test (TUG). Fifty healthy adults, ranging in age from 50 to 86years (mean±SD, 65.5±9.6y) were evaluated using the WRIT, three computer-based EF tests, the TUG, a verbal memory test and an agility test. All computer-based EF tests were positively correlated to the WRIT (p<0.05); however, regression analyses revealed that the WRIT explained 37.5% of the variance in the TUG, while a composite of traditional computer-based tests explained 10.5%. As indicated by Lin's Concordance reliability (pc=0.82) between testing days was high and was supported by a Cronbach's alpha of 0.90. Bland-Altman analyses also demonstrated good agreement between the testing days with a small mean difference 3.48 (-3.71, 10.67). These results support the validity and reliability of the WRIT, and indicate that when assessing EF as it relates to functionality, the WRIT test may be a more appropriate measure than existing computer-based mouse and keyboard tests.
