FUNCTIONAL SKILLS ASSESSMENT
FUNCTIONAL SKILLS ASSESSMENT
Utilizing Technology to Enhance the Ecological Validity of Cognitive and Functional Assessments in Schizophrenia: An Overview of the State-of-the-Art
Horan et al., Schizophrenia Bulletin Open, 5(1), sgae025 (2024)
Schizophrenia Bulletin Open
Utilizing Technology to Enhance the Ecological Validity of Cognitive and Functional Assessments in Schizophrenia: An Overview of the State-of-the-Art
SUMMARY
This narrative review surveys digital technologies designed to make cognitive and functional assessment more representative of everyday life in schizophrenia. It contrasts conventional tests with digitally delivered simulations and remote measures, then reviews the evidence for several contemporary approaches. A dedicated FUNSAT™ section describes six realistic technology-related functional tasks, including banking, ticket purchase, medication management, telephone menus, pharmacy website use, and online shopping, along with outcomes such as completion time, errors, and task mastery.
The review presents FUNSAT™ positively as a standardized, cloud-capable system with automated administration, scoring, and data transfer; three alternative forms support repeated assessment. It notes convergence with cognitive and legacy functional-capacity measures while preserving the distinction between cognition and functional performance. FUNSAT™ was also sensitive to remotely delivered intervention effects, with a reported composite effect size of 0.75, and post-training performance related to cognition, other functional-capacity measures, and real-world activity captured by ecological momentary assessment. Together, these features support FUNSAT’s usefulness for ecologically relevant assessment, remote research, and measurement of meaningful treatment response.
