The impact of initial planning on task execution performance for older adults: a naturalistic assessment paradigm

Katelyn Brown

Objective: Planning, a higher order executive functioning ability important for accomplishing complex everyday tasks, can be differentiated into initial and concurrent (online) planning. In this study, initial plans were codified to assess their impact on task execution. Cognitive correlates of initial planning and task execution were also examined. Method: One-hundred fifty-four community dwelling older adults completed a naturalistic task, called the Day Out Task (DOT), in either a planning or no planning condition. The DOT required participants to multitask and efficiently complete a series of eight subtasks, preparing for a hypothetical day out. Participants also completed a neuropsychological battery with the following cognitive constructs assessed: processing speed, cognitive flexibility, memory processes, visuoconstructional abilities, and working memory and sequencing. Results: There were no significant differences between the planning and no planning conditions in DOT execution accuracy, efficiency or duration. However, initial plans that were more efficient predicted better task execution accuracy and efficiency, and initial plans that contained a higher amount of task relevant associations (TRAs) predicted a shorter duration of task execution. Furthermore, more efficient initial plans and task relevant associations were related to higher processing speed, with task relevant associations also being associated with working memory and sequencing. For both the planning and no planning conditions, DOT execution accuracy was related to higher processing speed. Faster DOT execution completion time was related to working memory and sequencing in the planning condition and to processing speed, cognitive flexibility and visuoconstructional ability in the no planning condition. Discussion: Initial plans that organize task objectives in an efficient manner may lead to better task execution accuracy and efficiency, while initial plans that demonstrate a detailed understanding of individual aspects of the tasks (i.e., higher rate of TRAs) may result in faster task execution. Although concurrent task planning likely plays a large role in DOT performance, planning ahead of time may be more beneficial for those with poorer cognitive skills who may have more difficulty with online planning.

The impact of initial planning on task execution performance for older adults: a naturalistic assessment paradigm

Files and links (1)

Abstract

Metrics

Details