Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System Advanced

D-KEFS Advanced leverages the power of an all-digital assessment to modernise neuropsychological testing. Simplified administration, enhanced data capture, and automatic scoring on Q-interactive provide the technological foundation for greater reliability, improved measurement, increased clinical sensitivity, and an elevated process-approach for the most trusted measures of executive functioning.

Features

• More dynamic, cognitively demanding tests
• Expanded test conditions and content coverage
• Highly engaging game-like digital administration
• Automatic strategy, error, and process capture
• Current normative sample and clinical studies
• Co-normed tests
• Enhanced interpretive guidance and report options

Benefits

• Decreased administration time and examiner burden
• Immediate, reliable scoring
• Improved reliability, validity, and sensitivity
• Improved detection of subtle declines in individuals with high premorbid executive functions
• Elevated process approach to cognitive assessment

Tests

The D-KEFS Advanced includes six tests that assess working memory, concept formation, cognitive shifting, fluency of thinking, planning, organization, inhibition, feedback utilization, behavioural initiation, and problem-solving.

• D-KEFS Advanced Trail Making Test
• D-KEFS Advanced Verbal Fluency Test
• D-KEFS Advanced Colour-Word Interference Test
• D-KEFS Advanced Tower Test
• D-KEFS Advanced Social Sorting Test
• D-KEFS Advanced Risk-Reward Decision Test

The following resources are available for D-KEFS Advanced.

Tests in the D-KEFS Advanced harness the processing capacities of Q-interactive to provide new, more dynamic, cognitively demanding tasks that are unable to be delivered and scored with fidelity in a traditional paper format.

Packaging

Why is D-KEFS Advanced offered only on Q-interactive; why wasn't a paper version developed?

D-KEFS Advanced is not simply a digital version of a paper-based test; it is a suite of digitally native tests. Tests that comprise the D-KEFS Advanced harness the processing capacities of modern technology to provide new, more dynamic, cognitively demanding tasks that are unable to be delivered with fidelity in a traditional format. A good example of this is the systematic auditory and visual distractors that are presented during new conditions on the Trail Making test. In addition to the more cognitively complex tasks, the performance data that is captured by Q-interactive exceeds the volume of performance data points that can be reliably captured through a traditional administration process.

Are any test materials or manipulatives required for D-KEFS Advanced?

No. All conditions for all D-KEFS Advanced tests use Q-interactive only; no manipulatives, stimulus books, record forms, or response booklets are needed.

Is there a print or digital version of the D-KEFS Advanced Manual?

The D-KEFS Advanced Manual is accessible on the Q-interactive platform. A print version is available as an optional purchase.

Test Structure & Scores

Are there any new tests on D-KEFS Advanced?

Trail Making, Verbal Fluency, Colour-Word Interference and Tower all contain new content. Additional conditions were added to increase construct coverage, raise the ceiling, and improve clinical sensitivity. The Social Sorting Test is a new test, similar to the Wisconsin Card Sorting test, that measures problem-solving, concept formation, use of feedback, cognitive flexibility, and inhibition of perseverative responses. The Risk-Reward Decision Test, similar to the Iowa Gambling task, is a new test that assesses the hot executive function of risky decision-making in the context of a problem-solving task involving a horse-racing game. This test is intended for ages 19 and older.

Why weren't all the D-KEFS tests included in D-KEFS Advanced?

Tests selected for inclusion in D-KEFS Advanced, like Trail Making, are some of the most widely used measures of executive function. These tests were found to be highly amenable to leveraging the power of computing to deliver more dynamic and cognitively demanding conditions with the goal of increasing sensitivity and clinical utility of the test. For comprehensive information about the technology and development requirements and constraints that guided the development of tests consult the D-KEFS Advanced Manual.

Given the increased performance data that is being captured, are there new types of scores in the D-KEFS Advanced?

In addition to designing new tests, new core measures utilising the capabilities of the digital platform were developed, including capturing performance at the individual-response level rather than the whole-test level, which improves the identification of executive function deficits in child and adult clinical groups.

What is the new Speed-Accuracy Tradeoff measure?

The Speed-Accuracy Tradeoff measure assesses how an examinee modulates response speed relative to accuracy rate to optimise their performance on complex timed tasks, capturing a unique aspect of executive functioning.

Does D-KEFS Advanced offer demographically adjusted norms?

The D-KEFS Advanced, like the D-KEFS (2001), provides age-based standard scores as well as age and education referenced standard scores.

General Practice

Does a digital assessment tool like D-KEFS Advanced pose a problem for neurologically compromised individuals or individuals who are unfamiliar with technology?

During development, studies were conducted that included individuals with a broad range of neurological concerns and individuals in the oldest age range (70-90 years). Performing tasks on an iPad was found to be well-tolerated by these populations. As with any test, clinical judgment should guide decisions about the most-appropriate tool for a specific client.

Some practitioners have concerns that "too much qualitative information is missed" when an examinee interacts with technology instead of traditional administration.

D-KEFS Advanced uses the iPad as a modern administration tool that eliminates the need for manipulatives, stimulus books, and response forms. Administration is still a highly interactive process facilitated by an examiner. Because the iPad offers automatic capture of detailed performance data the examiner can be freed from complexities of administration and scoring and instead concentrate on qualitative clinical and behavioural observations.

Is D-KEFS Advanced a replacement for the original D-KEFS (2001)?

The D-KEFS Advanced complements and does not replace the original D-KEFS. The original D-KEFS will continue to be available. D-KEFS Advanced can be used alone, or with tests from D-KEFS in a flexible manner to customize assessments of executive functions. The D-KEFS Advanced Manual provides information about use of the tests together.

Were the D-KEFS (2001) norms updated?

In the D–KEFS / D–KEFS Advanced sample collected during the standardization of D–KEFS Advanced, the mean scores are in the average range across both measures with higher values observed on both the D–KEFS and the D–KEFS Advanced across scores. Negligible effect sizes are observed for most scores. Given the similar content across the two measures, the negligible impact of practice effects is notable. The minimal differences suggest that the older norms on the D–KEFS are not heavily influenced by the Flynn effect and can continue to be used despite their age.

Can D-KEFS Advanced be administered remotely?

Q-interactive requires the use of a local Wi-Fi connection utilising Bonjour for peer-to-peer communication between the examiner iPad and the examinee iPad, meaning both devices must be in close proximity. As a result, D-KEFS Advanced cannot be administered in a remote tele practice setting. However, the system can be used in environments where the examiner and examinee are physically separated by a plexiglass or glass partition as part of PPE protocols. While some assessments on Q-interactive can be administered remotely, D-KEFS Advanced is not one of them.

The following webinars are available for D-KEFS Advanced