Author(s): Maeir, A.H., Armon, N., & Katz, N.
Year of Publication: 2005
Publisher: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem & Hadassah
Type of Assessments:
Standardized
Observation-based
Performance-based
Cost: Free
How to Access: https://www.sralab.org/sites/default/files/2017-07/Kettle%20Test%20final%20manual.pdf
Age: 13+ (Adolescent, Adult & Geriatric)
Diagnoses: Stroke, Neurological injuries
Setting: Outpatient, Inpatient, Home health, SNFs
used to briefly assess basic & high-level cognitive skills and functional performance in complex everyday tasks.
Problem-solving skills
Safety Awareness
Attention
Cognition
Initiation
Memory
Planning & Sequencing
Time: 15 mins
Group/Individual: Individual
Subtests: N/A
Instructions: The subject will prepare a hot beverage plus cup of a different hot beverage.
Electric kettle is emptied and disassembled (lid and cable disconnected from the body of the kettle) to challenge problem-solving skills and safety judgment regarding use of electricity.
Additional kitchen utensils and ingredients are placed in immediate task environment as distractors to increase attention demands.
Performance is scored on 13 discrete steps of task based on necessary prompting at each step
1) Opening the water faucet
2) Filling the kettle with about 2 cups of water
3) Turning off the faucet
4) Assembling the kettle
5) Attaching the electric cord to the kettle
6) Plugging the electric cord in an electric socket
7) Turning on the kettle
8) Assembling the ingredients
9) Putting the ingredients into the cups
10) Picking up the kettle when water boils
11) Pouring the water into the cu
12) Adding milk
13) Indication of task completion (e.g. verbal, gesture, serving)
If a cue was given, the description of the cue and reasoning for its delivery is noted in the comment column
Following performance, the examiner notes the process that took place and after, asks the client to reflect on the instructions and process, to rate their performance and level of difficulty they experienced in performing the task using questions like:
"Description of the process by examiner"
"Recall of the instructions by the client: "What were the steps you had to do?"
Materials:
Electric kettle
Ingredients for beverages plus distractor ingredients (instant coffee, regular tea, herbal tea, sugar, milk, honey, etc.)
Dishes as distractors (3 cups, water pitchers, 2 plates)
User Qualifications: N/A
How to Score: Performance in completing each of the distinct 13 steps of the assessment is rated based on the amount of prompting needed to complete the task on a scale from 0-4.
0 = Intact performance
1 = Slow and/or trial & error, and/or questionable performance, but completes independently
2 = Received general cues
3 = Received specific cueing, incomplete performance or deficient performance
4 = Received physical demonstration or assistance
Ratings for each step are summed to produce a total score, ranging from 0-52.
Score Indications:
Higher scores reflect more severe problems in performance
Reliability:
Interrater Test-retest: r = .851-.916 for acute stroke
Validity:
Construct validity: Excellent with the MMSE (r=.56), Clock drawing test (r = .59), & Caregiver ratings for ADLs (r = .53) or IADLs (r = .58)
Strengths:
Quick, functional performance assessment that tests executive functioning requiring minimal setup.
Task allows for independence in decision-making by allowing the client to choose the beverage they will be preparing
Involves a realistic, functional task that can be applicable to assess performance across various conditions
Weaknesses:
Relies on clinical observations of the examiner
May not be relevant to the client (i.e. those unfamiliar with making tea/coffee or never used a kettle)
Requires access to a kitchen set up and subsequent kitchen supplies
No scoring norms
Not appropriate for severe cognitive impairments
Only involves one specific ADL task
Asher, I. E. (2014). Asher’s occupational therapy assessment tools: An annotated index (4th ed.). AOTA Press.
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab. (n.d.). Kettle test. https://www.sralab.org/rehabilitation-measures/disabilities-arm-shoulder-and-hand-questionnaire
Hartman-Maeir, A., Armon, N., & Katz, N. (2005). The Kettle Test: A cognitive functional screening test protocol. https://www.sralab.org/sites/default/files/2017-07/Kettle%20Test%20final%20manual.pdf
Hartman-Maeir, A., Harel, H., & Katz, N. (2009). Kettle Test—A brief measure of cognitive functional performance: Reliability and validity in stroke rehabilitation. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 63(5), 592–599. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.63.5.592