Script Generation as an Efficient Measure of Cognition and Everyday Function in Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES

A Script Generation Task (SGT), requiring participants to verbally describe the steps of everyday activities, was investigated as an efficient tool to detect mild functional difficulties and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

METHODS

83 participants (n=57 HC; n=26 MCI) completed a SGT, performance-based test of everyday function, cognitive tests, and questionnaires. SGT responses were transcribed and scored by human raters and automated text analysis.

RESULTS

Participants with MCI generated fewer SGT steps in a shorter amount of time and more pronouns relative to nouns, reflecting less specificity. Performance on the SGT was associated with cognitive tests of episodic memory, performance-based tests of everyday function, and questionnaires regarding everyday functioning.

CONCLUSIONS

The SGT holds promise as a highly efficient measure of mild cognitive and functional difficulties in older adults.