Does the Key Task Measure Prospective Memory? Cautionary Findings from Parallel Studies in HIV Disease and Older Adults

Abstract

Objective Despite its brevity and face validity, little is known about the construct validity of the naturalistic “Key Task” of prospective memory (PM), in which an examinee is instructed to remind the examiner at a designated time to retrieve keys (or another belonging) placed out of sight. Method Study 1 included 162 HIV+ and 52 HIV− comparison participants who completed the Key Task alongside well-validated measures of PM and a comprehensive neuropsychological battery that included everyday functioning measures. Study 2 used broadly parallel methods in 168 older community-dwelling Australians. Results Overall, the Key Task was not reliably associated with neurocognitive functioning (including clinical and experimental measures of PM), PM symptoms, or everyday functioning in either sample. Conclusions The Key Task did not demonstrate compelling evidence of construct validity among persons living with HIV disease or older adults, which raises doubts regarding its clinical usefulness as a measure of PM.

Prospective memory assessment: Scientific advances and future directions

“…However, they can be difficult to incorporate into a standard neuropsychological assessment because they require significant administration time ranging from 15 to 60 min. In this context, clinicians may prefer the use of single-trials such as the Key task ( Babicz et al, 2019 ) and the Envelope Task ( Huppert et al, 2000 ) due to their low cost and brevity. However, it should be noted that these brief PM measurements have lower reliability and sensitivity compared to test batteries and experimental procedures which may limit their utility, particularly in clinical settings.…”