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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills
Published on: April 23, 2014
Comparison of the test of everyday functional abilities with a direct measure of daily function
Myron F Weiner1, Helena R Gehrmann, Linda S Hynan
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9129, USA. myron.weiner@utsouthwestern.edu
Objectives:
To compare scores for dementia patients on a newly developed direct test of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) to scores on a widely accepted functional measure.
Methods:
In 27 community-dwelling dementia patients, scores for the Test of Everyday Functional Ability (TEFA) were compared with scores on a widely used direct test of daily function (Independent Living Scale; ILS).
Results:
Mini-Mental State Examination scores ranged from 5 to 28 (mean +/- SD = 20.7 +/- 6.37). There was a highly significant correlation between total TEFA and total ILS scores (r(25) = 0.892, p < 0.001) as well as many of the comparable subscales.
Conclusion:
The TEFA is a valid measure of IADL competence for dementia patients.
