Using the Perceive, Recall, Plan and Perform Assessment of cognitive strategy use with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: Initial exploration of clinical utility

Abstract

Introduction Culturally safe and meaningful cognitive assessment methods for use with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are scarce. Concerns are raised regarding the efficacy of existing methods in cross‐cultural contexts. The Perceive, Recall, Plan and Perform (PRPP) Assessment offers a person‐centred alternative whereby cognitive strategy application is examined during performance of culturally relevant everyday tasks. This paper explores its use with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. Methods A critical case study design was applied to examine the effectiveness and relevance of the PRPP Assessment with two Aboriginal Australian people in the Northern Territory of Australia. ‘Ivan’ and ‘Jean’ were each receiving occupational therapy through a rehabilitation service over a 6‐month period following acquired brain injuries. Ivan and Jean were assessed performing everyday tasks of interest and importance to them as part of routine care. A partnership approach was adopted throughout the process, and both consented to their stories being told. Results The PRPP Assessment was able to measure changes in Ivan's and Jean's cognitive strategy use and its impact on performance of meaningful tasks. Ivan demonstrated a 46% increase in performance mastery and a 29% increase in cognitive strategy use with most improvements identified in his ability to sense information, initiate action, and continue performance. Jean demonstrated a 71% increase in performance mastery and a 32% increase in cognitive strategy use. Her greatest improvements were in the ability to recall schemes, self‐evaluate, and initiate action. Conclusion The two critical case stories shared in this study suggest that the PRPP Assessment has emerging evidence of clinical utility when used with Aboriginal people with acquired brain impairment. The information gained revealed strengths in performance; it was effective in measuring change in cognitive strategy use, was able to inform the goal setting process, and guided intervention to support cognitive strategy use during task performance.

Effect of the cognitive strategy training protocol on task mastery and cognitive performance during the instrumental activity of daily living in stroke patients

“…In addition, Lindstad et al 15 applied nine sessions of the PRPP System of intervention for application in community-based rehabilitation with older adults with cognitive impairment following stroke to increase performance in everyday tasks. Presently, Smith et al 16 applied the PRPP assessment to examine the effectiveness and relevance of this measurement with two Aboriginal Australian people in the Northern Territory of Australia following ABI. The finding of this study presented the PRPP assessment assessing change in cognitive strategy application over a 6-month period.…”

“…The finding of this study presented the PRPP assessment assessing change in cognitive strategy application over a 6-month period. 16 In Thailand, there is a research limitation about applying top-down approach to enhance functions in stroke patients with cognitive impairments. Juntorn et al 17 were perceived as the first study that combined the intervention between the PRPP System of Intervention and the Four-Quadrant Model (4QM) of Facilitated Learning to examine the effect of information strategy training for children with learning disabilities.…”