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Research-Occupational Therapy Program

Leslie  Vaughan, PhD, OTR/L

Assistant Professor

Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

alvaughan@education.wisc.edu

 

Aging, Individual Differences in Executive Function, and Daily Life Activity

Age-related declines in the structure and function of frontal brain systems are considered one of the major sources of normal age-related changes. These structures are especially involved in so-called executive functions (EF), including planning, problem-solving, and adapting behavior in response to environmental cues. My research and that of others have shown that individual and age differences in EF are strongly predictive (more so than global measures of cognitive function) of performance on measures of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). IADLs are real-world tasks including financial and medication management, meal preparation, transportation, and interaction with the community. Successful IADL performance is critical to maintaining independent living in the community.

Current studies are underway to identify cognitive predictors of independent performance on complex daily life activities in normally aging, community dwelling older adults, individual differences in patterns of performance on these cognitive predictors, and the effects of cognitive training on them. Specifically, the relationship between executive function (EF) processes and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) will be examined using behavioral data acquisition methods (computerized experimental tasks of EF processes and standardized tests of IADL). Results of this study will provide information on the most appropriate targets for cognitive rehabilitation in older adults with mild cognitive impairments.

This research is funded by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Fund

Related Publications:

Vaughan, L. & Giovanello, K. (in press). Executive function in daily life: Age-related influences of executive processes on instrumental activities of daily living. Psychology & Aging.

Vaughan, L., & Hartman, M (2009). Age differences in the capacity of visual short-term memory: Effects of information load and object type. Aging, Neuropsychology, & Cognition, on-line publication ahead of print, July 22, 2009.

Vaughan, L., Basak, C., Hartman, M., & Verhaeghen, P. (2008). Aging and attention switching in working memory: Item availability versus accessibility. Aging, Neuropsychology & Cognition, 15(6), 703-724.