Developing Pragmatic Measures of Physical and Cognitive Function: Examining Norms, Performance Validity, and Accessibility Challenges 1210

Cognitive and physical function is an important health outcome and predictor of effective rehabilitation because it is fundamental to the ability to learn and adopt new skills essential for achieving functional recovery and adaptation. Addressing pragmatic concerns in measuring cognitive and physical health (e.g., cost, length, interpretability, adaptation for use in non-standardized test environment and among people with disabilities) is essential to enable scalable, flexible, yet reliable assessment across the lifespan and in different settings. We will focus on reporting results from three research projects to provide new insights into approaches to address some pragmatic concerns of the NIH Toolbox measures, including 1) the norming results of the NIH Toolbox Standing Balance Test based on accelerometry technology using an iPod Touch or iPhone; 2) a comparison of the performance validity of the remote versus in-person versions of NIH Toolbox cognition measures adapted for self-administration; and 3) a pilot study to evaluate accessibility challenges and accommodation options for engaging individuals with spinal cord injuries in taking cognitive tests through the NIH Toolbox.