A control study on the development of "cool" and "hot" executive functions between cerebral palsy children and normal children

Abstract

Objective To explore the differences and development of executive function(EF) between cerebral palsy(CP) children and normal children. Methods Forty-eight 4 ～6 years old CP children and fiftyeight normal children were tested by cool and hot EFs. Results There were significant differences between cool EF of CP children(18.34±14.31) and normal children(6.94 ±3. 18) ( t = 3. 83, P<0.01 ) ;and there were significant differences between hot EF of CP children(279.67 ±330. 18) and normal children(709.31 ± 304. 13)( t = -4.93, P< 0.01). There were significant age differences on the cool EF ( F=8.689, P< 0.01) and hot EF ( F=3. 833, P<0.05) of CP children. There were significant age differences on the cool EF ( F= 15.469, P<0.01) and on the hot EF ( F=8.470, P<0.01) of normal children. There was negative correlation between cool EFs and hot EFs( r= -0.440, P<0.01). Conclusion Cool and hot EFs of CP children are lower than those of normal children. Cool and hot EFs can develop from 4 to 6 years old,but the development of EFs are not absolutely consistent between CP children and normal children. There is correlation between cool and hot EFs in patients with CP,but not dissociation. Key words: Cerebral palsy; Executive function; Child