The potential of function-led virtual environments for ecologically valid measures of executive function in experimental and clinical neuropsychology

Neuropsychol Rehabil. 2017 Jul;27(5):777-807. doi: 10.1080/09602011.2015.1109524. Epub 2015 Nov 11.

Abstract

The assessment of executive functions is an integral task of neuropsychological assessment. Traditional measures of executive function are often based on hypothetical constructs that may have little relevance to real-world behaviours. In fact, some traditional tests utilised today were not originally developed for clinical use. Recently, researchers have been arguing for a new generation of "function-led" neuropsychological assessments that are developed from directly observable everyday behaviours. Although virtual environments (VEs) have been presented as potential aides in enhancing ecological validity, many were modelled on construct-driven approaches found in traditional assessments. In the current paper, we review construct-driven and function-led VE-based neuropsychological assessments of executive functions. Overall, function-led VEs best represent the sorts of tasks needed for enhanced ecological validity and prediction of real-world functioning.

Keywords: Ecological validity; Executive function; Neuropsychological assessment; Virtual environments.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Executive Function / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology*
  • User-Computer Interface*