Measurement of problem-solving deficits in adults with acquired brain damage.

Abstract

To compare the relative utility of conventional neuropsychological and social problem-solving approaches to measuring functional problem solving deficits in individuals with acquired brain damage (ABD). In Study I, scores for individuals with ABD were compared to scores for control and normative samples. In Study II, pre- and posttest scores were compared for individuals with ABD who completed a program of outpatient cognitive rehabilitation. In Study I, individuals with ABD were compared to healthy controls. In Study II, pre- and posttreatment assessments were obtained for 34 individuals with ABD. Two approaches were used, conventional neuropsychological (WAIS-R/II Comprehension subtest and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test) and social problem solving (Problem Solving Inventory and Rusk Problem Solving Role Play Test). In Study I, the ABD group demonstrated significant deficits on both social problem solving measures; however, neither conventional neuropsychological measure detected significant deficits in the ABD group, relative to control and normative groups. In Study II, significant treatment gains were demonstrated on both social problem-solving measures, however neither conventional neuropsychological measure was sensitive to improvements in functional problem-solving ability. In higher-level cognitive rehabilitation settings, the evaluation of functional problem-solving deficits in individuals with ABD can be facilitated by augmenting neuropsychological test data with results from social problem-solving measures.