Evaluating the Functional and Cognitive Examination for patients with acute acquired brain injury

Abstract

Background/Aims: The Functional and Cognitive Examination is a cross-battery neuropsychological baseline assessment. It was designed specifically for patients with acquired brain injury in the acute rehabilitation stage. This investigation focused on the utility of the Functional and Cognitive Examination to identify the association between the functional and cognitive performance of acquired brain injury patients and the construct validity of the battery. Methods: The Functional and Cognitive Examination is administered as a standard for all patients admitted to the inpatient neurological assessment and specialist rehabilitation unit. Forty two patients had been recruited over a two year period. Raw scores have been analysed and descriptive data is provided. Spearman's correlations were used to observe associations between functional and cognitive performance. The Functional and Cognitive Examination was also correlated against the Functional Assessment Measure and the Northwick Park Therapy Dependency Assessment. Findings: There was a positive association between lower performance on the Functional and Cognitive Examination cognitive component and the Functional and Cognitive Examination functional task. Similarly, lower scores on the Functional Assessment Measure had positive associations with performance on the Functional and Cognitive Examination functional task. Conclusions: The Functional and Cognitive Examination is a useful neuropsychological baseline assessment. It illustrates that cognitive and functional components are associated and the Functional and Cognitive Examination outcomes are associated with the Functional Assessment Measure.