Maze Task

Background

Maze tasks are used to investigate spatial navigation, visuoconstructional ability, and executive functions of planning and foresight. One well-known example of a Maze task is the Snellgrove Maze Task (SMT), published by Carol Snellgrove in 2005 as a quick paper and pencil screening test for road (in)competence in older adults. The SMT consists of one simple practice maze and one more elaborate test maze that only have one correct solution path. Participants are instructed to find their way from the start point to the end point of the maze as fast as possible by tracing their path with a pencil. They are further instructed to avoid any dead ends. With the advancements in touch-technology since the early 2000s and the advent of handy hand-held devices such as ipads, assessments like the SMT likely move to computer-assisted technology. One early computer-assisted study investigating road competence assessment in elderly patients was published by Brian Ott and colleagues in 2008.

The Millisecond Maze task is inspired by the STM. It is designed for touchscreens but adapts to mouse input if necessary. On touchscreens, the paths can be drawn with fingers or with a stylus pen. The default implementation of the Millisecond Maze task runs one practice and one test maze. However, the script is adaptable to run a) different mazes and b) additional test mazes as well. In addition, a more game-like design was implemented to appeal to a larger audience.

Task Procedure

The Millisecond Maze task is introduced to participants as a game to help a mouse find a piece of cheese. The instructions are provided orally using the practice maze to explain the game. Instructions can be repeated as often as needed. The practice maze consists of a 5x5 grid maze with three dead-ends and a solution path that crosses 19 boxes. Whenever participants reach a dead-end, they are automatically instructed to retrace their steps. Furthermore, anytime they attempt to cross a wall or lift their finger/stylus, they are instructed to return to their previous location (marked by a red circle). Once the practice cheese is reached, practice ends and the test begins. Instructions are repeated before the test maze is revealed. The test maze consists of a 25x25 grid maze with 10 dead-ends and a solution path that crosses 66 boxes. Participants have 3 minutes to finish the test maze.

What it Measures

The Maze task measures spatial navigation as well as planning and foresight abilities.

Psychological domains

• Spatial Reasoning: Ability to mentally visualize, organize, and transverse environments
• Visuospatial Working Memory: Temporary storage and active manipulation of visual and spatial information

Main Performance Metrics

• Completion: Categorical assessment of Maze completion success
• Duration: Time (in ms) it took participant to get to the target (or the task was ended)
• Violation Counter: Number of violations (e.g. wall crossings)
• Detour Counter: Number of detours taken (number of times path is going off into the wrong direction)
• Dead End Counter: Number of times actual deadends are visited (forced endings of detours)
• Planning Time: Planning time in ms (time spent in planning mode and not moving)

Psychiatric Conditions

Maze tasks such as the SMT are generally used for assessing road competence. The following groups have been tested

• Dementia
• Stroke

References

Search Google Scholar for peer-reviewed, published research using the Inquisit Maze Task.

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Salthouse, T. A., & Siedlecki, K. L. (2007). Efficiency of route selection as a function of adult age. Brain and Cognition, 63(3), 279–286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bandc.2006.09.006

Snellgrove, C. (2005). Cognitive screening for the safe driving competence of older people with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia. ATSB Report.

Snellgrove, C. (2006). Older drivers with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia. University of Adelaide. [Unpublished PhD Thesis].

Ott, B. R., Festa, E. K., Amick, M. M., Grace, J., Davis, J. D., & Heindel, W. C. (2008). Computerized Maze Navigation and On-Road Performance by Drivers With Dementia. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, 21(1), 18–25. https://doi.org/10.1177/0891988707311031