Performance of young, middle-aged, and older adults on tests of executive function
Year: 2017
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Information on differently aged adults’ performance on tests of executive function administered by speech-language pathologists is lacking. This potentially limits clinicians’ abilities to accurately evaluate and treat persons with cognitive impairments. The objective of this study was to determine potential differences among young, middle-aged, and older adults on 2 tests of executive function: the Behavioural Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome and the Functional Assessment of Verbal Reasoning and Executive Strategies. In total, 105 healthy adult participants completed both tests in this pilot study. Participants were equally divided into the following 3 age groups: Young, Middle-aged, and Older, with ages ranging from 20–88 years old. Older adults demonstrated statistically significantly lower scores compared to young and middle-aged adults on both tests. No significant performance differences were found between young and middleaged adults. Further research is necessary to determine a definitive pattern of performance on these tests in adults across the lifespan.
Authors: Angela N. Burda, Emily Andersen, Marissa Berryman, Maddisen Heun, Claire King, Tina Kise
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W3213593367