Night Out Task: Psychological Assessment of Everyday Functioning

Unmet Need: Better Assessment of Everyday Functioning

Well-established existing psychological tests allow for measurement of behavior and memory capacity, but providers have few tools to predict everyday functioning ability. Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and other conditions impacting autonomy present with a spectrum of challenges, and a new test is needed to provide a standard gauge which correlates to common tasks of independent living.

This Test: The Night Out Task (NOT)

Individuals are given standard instructions to complete a set of tasks in preparation for an outing with a friend. The administering clinician presets several props, and records observations with an electronic device application which provides a series of prompts. Testing typically takes less than 15 minutes and is cut off at 30 minutes. A manual is available which illustrates the protocol, lists required supplies, and provides guidance for using the application as well as alternate manual scoring.

Applications:

Assessment of capacity to function independently for adult subjects with MCI or other impairments such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Advantages:

Quickly test a range of hands-on everyday tasks in a standardized and controlled setting.