Development and validation of a novel Context-Based Prospective Memory Task among neurotypical adults

D'Souza, D.; Ashley, Sharon; Bajaj, Gagan; Moolambally, Sheetal Raj; Bhat, Jayashree S. · 2024 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1590/2317-1782/20242023180en

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Summary

This study addresses the lack of culturally appropriate, context-based prospective memory (PM) assessment tools for the Indian population. While PM—the ability to recall intentions in the future—is critical for independent living, existing performance-based measures are often Western-centric, potentially compromising ecological validity and normative reliability for Indian subjects. The authors aimed to develop and validate a novel, semi-immersive, context-based PM task tailored to Indian ethnicity and establish its psychometric properties among neurotypical adults. The researchers constructed a computerized task using 2D rendered images derived from a 3D model of a shopping mall containing 20 distinct stores. The task embedded ten PM trials within an ongoing activity requiring participants to identify specific number combinations. The PM trials varied across three dichotomies: duration (short vs. long), cue type (time-based vs. event-based), and response modality (verbal vs. action). Fifty neurotypical young adults (aged 18–25) from Mangaluru, India, participated. The novel task was administered alongside the Memory for Intentions Screening Test (MIST) to assess concurrent validity. Content validity was evaluated by five experts and five young adults. Reliability was assessed through inter-rater agreement, test-retest stability over two weeks, and internal consistency metrics. The novel task demonstrated strong psychometric properties. It achieved a Content Validity Index of 0.98. Inter-rater reliability was high, with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.98 for trial performance and 0.89 for error coding. Test-retest reliability was also robust, with an ICC of 0.92. Internal consistency across the six subscales was high (Cronbach’s α = 0.86), and split-half reliability was strong (Spearman-Brown coefficient = 0.87). Spearman’s correlation confirmed significant associations between individual trial performance and their respective subscale scores. Furthermore, McNemar’s test indicated similar participant profiles between the novel task and the MIST, supporting convergent validity. Error analysis categorized failures into prospective memory failure, task substitution, loss of content, loss of time, and random errors, providing detailed insight into performance mechanisms. The findings indicate that the novel context-based PM task is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing prospective memory. By incorporating ecologically valid contexts and culturally relevant stimuli, the task offers a dependable alternative to Western-centric measures for the Indian population. The authors conclude that this tool provides valuable insights into PM mechanisms and is suitable for inclusion in cognitive assessment batteries, addressing a significant gap in culturally appropriate neuropsychological testing.

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• prospective memory interruptions