Research Article
Issue Date: October 22, 2018
Published Online: October 22, 2018
Updated: October 23, 2018
Cognitive Contributors to Multiple Errands Test (MET) Performance
Melissa Hansen; Nicole K. De Amicis; Nicole D. Anderson; Malcolm A. Binns; Amanda J. Clark; Deirdre R. Dawson
Author Affiliations
  • Melissa Hansen, MScOT, OT Reg. (BC), is Occupational Therapist, Advance Concussion Clinic, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
  • Nicole K. De Amicis, MScOT, OT Reg. (Ont.), is Occupational Therapist, Partners in Rehab, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
  • Nicole D. Anderson, PhD, CPsych, is Associate Professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and Senior Scientist, Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Malcolm A. Binns, PhD, is Assistant Professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and Statistician Scientist, Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Amanda J. Clark, PhD, is Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
  • Deirdre R. Dawson, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.), is Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and Senior Scientist, Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; d.dawson@utoronto.ca
Article Information
Neurologic Conditions / Research Articles
Research Article   |   October 22, 2018
Cognitive Contributors to Multiple Errands Test (MET) Performance
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, October 2018, Vol. 72, 7206205050. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2018.025049
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, October 2018, Vol. 72, 7206205050. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2018.025049
Abstract

OBJECTIVE. The Multiple Errands Test (MET) was designed to measure the effect of executive dysfunction on everyday life activities, but little is known about the cognitive requirements for successful performance. This study’s objective was to investigate cognitive functions associated with successful MET performance, specifically, the Baycrest-MET.

METHOD. Correlation analysis examined relationships between Baycrest-MET performance and neuropsychological functioning in participants with acquired brain injury (ABI; N = 27).

RESULTS. The association of tasks omitted with executive function (EF) accounted for 15.2%–42.3% of the variance; the association of tasks omitted with attention and processing speed, for 16.8%–24.0%; and the association of tasks omitted and total rule breaks with visuospatial memory, for 18.5%–31.4%.

CONCLUSION. Poor performance on the Baycrest-MET in people with ABI is associated with impairments of EF, attention, memory, and processing speed. Different patterns of performance may arise from different constellations of impairments.