Publication Abstract Display
Type: Published Abstract
Title: Multitasking in HIV-1 infection: Implications for everyday functioning.
Authors: Scott JC, Vigil O, Woods SP, Heaton RK, Grant I, Marcotte TD, and the HNRC Group
Year: 2010
Publication: Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society
Volume: 16 Issue: S1 Pages: 26-27
Abstract:Objective: While performance-based functional tests are reasonably sensitive to HIV-associated deficits in "real world" functioning (i.e., independently performing instrumental activities of daily living [IADL]), questions remain regarding the extent to which these tests` highly structured nature fully captures the inherent complexities of daily life. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the predictive and ecological validity of a novel multitasking test in HIV infection. Participants and Methods: Participants included 60 individuals with HIV-1 infection (HIV+) and 26 demographically comparable seronegative healthy adults (HIV-). Participants were administered a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, questionnaires assessing mood and everyday functioning, and a novel standardized test of multitasking, which involved balancing the demands of four interconnected performance-based functional tasks (i.e., financial management, cooking, medication management, and phone communication). Results: HIV+ individuals demonstrated significantly worse overall performance (p < .05), fewer multitask attempts (p <.05), and increased errors (p < .001) on the multitasking test as compared to the HIV- sample. Within the HIV+ sample, multitasking impairments were modestly associated with deficits on standard clinical measures of executive functions, episodic memory, and information processing speed, providing preliminary evidence for convergent validity. More importantly, multitasking deficits were uniquely predictive of dependence in IADL, independent of depression and global cognitive impairment, with excellent sensitivity (86%) but modest specificity (57%). Conclusions: Taken together, these data indicate that the assessment of multitasking ability may ultimately provide an important adjunct to traditional neuropsychological testing in the evaluation of everyday functioning in HIV+ individuals. Findings may also inform the development of compensatory strategies to minimize the functional impact of cognitive deficits in persons living with HIV infection.

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