Development of the Activity Analysis on Cognition Scale (AACS)

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe authors propose the Activity Analysis on Cognition Scale (AACS) as an interdisciplinary tool that provides the therapists with a comprehensive cognitive analysis of an activity in the broad domains of attention, memory and executive functions. Sixteen domains of cognition are assessed by the scale (Part 1), each of which is supported with a detailed list of supplemental descriptors (Part 2). Initial development of validity and reliability is discussed. A test of ordinal variation denoted l2- was used to analyze the degree of variance between scores from an interdisciplinary sample on each domain. Preliminary results were mixed with some cognitive domains showing moderate to strong agreement (selective attention) while other domains demonstrated weak agreement (psychomotor processing speed). Pre-test and post-test scores revealed a reasonable degree of stability over a six-week period. Results demonstrated strong agreement or near-agreement with 14 of 16 subcategories (greater than 70%) with long-term episodic memory scoring highest at 98%. Overall, the results provide a starting point for professionals who need to select an appropriate activity for a specific client’s cognitive need and also represents the first attempt to establish validity and reliability of an activity analysis form.