Abstract

Purpose

The linguistic demand of task instructions in cognitive assessments may mask or even invalidate cognitive testing results for individuals with language differences or impairments. The purpose of this study was to apply an analysis of linguistic demand to a sample of functional multitasking assessments.

Method

We sampled the task instructions and materials from seven functional multitasking assessments that are based on everyday activities. We calculated indices of linguistic demand.

Results

The Density Index is based on total number of words, total number of sentences, total number of different words, total number of syllables, and complex (not-simple) sentences. The Breakfast Task and the Frisch Cooking Task consistently ranked lowest in linguistic demand for both instructions and materials based on the indices reviewed. These tasks are most likely to be appropriate for individuals with language impairment.

Conclusions

Clinicians have a responsibility to fairly evaluate cognitive functions of individuals with impaired language functioning. The analysis of linguistic demand provides a useful way to evaluate task instructions and materials in a systematic way, so that individuals with language impairments or language differences might be more appropriately evaluated.

中文翻译：

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将语言需求分析应用于功能性多任务评估

 抽象的

 目的

认知评估中任务指令的语言需求可能会掩盖甚至使具有语言差异或障碍的个体的认知测试结果无效。本研究的目的是将语言需求分析应用于功能性多任务评估样本。

 方法

我们从基于日常活动的七项功能性多任务评估中抽取了任务说明和材料。我们计算了语言需求指数。

 结果

密度指数基于单词总数、句子总数、不同单词总数、音节总数和复杂（非简单）句子。根据审查的指数，早餐任务和弗里施烹饪任务在说明和材料的语言需求方面始终排名最低。这些任务很可能适合有语言障碍的人。

 结论

临床医生有责任公平评估语言功能受损个体的认知功能。语言需求分析提供了一种有效的方法来系统地评估任务指令和材料，以便对有语言障碍或语言差异的个体进行更适当的评估。