Impact Of Executive Functions Research Articles

The relationship between executive function and activities of daily living in children with specific learning disorders

This study explores the relationship between executive functions (EF) and activities of daily living in children with specific learning disorder (SLD). Thirty SLD children (14 females and 16 males) and thirty typically developing (TD) children (13 females and 17 males) aged 8 to 11 years were selected from learning disabilities schools and centers as well as public schools in Tehran, Iran. The mean age for the TD group was 9.67 ± 0.82 and for the SLD group was 9.5 ± 0.5. Basic Activities of Daily Living (B-ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) were assessed using the Modified Barthel questionnaire and the Lawton scale, respectively. Executive function was evaluated using the Parent Form of Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) questionnaire. Pearson correlations were utilized to determine the correlation between the average score of "executive function" and "daily life activities". Results indicated that children with SLD scored significantly lower in EFs compared to TD children. Although there was no significant difference in B-ADL between the two groups, children with SLD scored lower in IADL. This study sheds light on the impact of EF on the ability of children with SLD to complete daily living activities. Further research is needed to better understand and address these challenges.

Predicting Executive Dysfunctions Based on Attachment and Parenting Styles in Students

Executive functions refer to the use of cognitive processes to control thoughts and emotions. Given the importance and impact of executive functions, it seems that understanding the factors that influence executive functions’ development is useful to prevent individuals’ problems and to help their further promotions. The present study is to predict executive dysfunctions based on parenting styles and attachment styles in students. This is a descriptive correlational study. The statistical population of this study included all students of regular elementary schools in Tabriz, Iran in the academic year of 2018-19, among whom, 700 were selected by multistage clustering sampling method. In the next step, their parents were asked to complete Coolidge neuropsychological and personality scale, the Kinship Center Attachment Questionnaire (KCAQ), and Baumrind parenting styles questionnaire. The data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance. The results showed that positive adjustment development, negative behaviors, permissive style, authoritarian style and authoritative style are correlated with the executive dysfunction. Positive adjustment development, attachment style and authoritative parenting style had a negative correlation, and the attachment style of negative behaviors, and permissive and authoritarian parenting styles had a positive correlation with the executive dysfunctions. The findings of the present study show that attachment and parenting styles in childhood correlate significantly with the development of executive functions and may be considered for prediction of executive dysfunctions.

The effects of a physical and cognitive training intervention vs. physical training alone on older adults' physical activity: A randomized controlled trial with extended follow-up during COVID-19.

BackgroundExecutive functions underlie self-regulation and are thus important for physical activity and adaptation to new situations. The aim was to investigate, if yearlong physical and cognitive training (PTCT) had greater effects on physical activity among older adults than physical training (PT) alone, and if executive functions predicted physical activity at baseline, after six (6m) and twelve months (12m) of the interventions, one-year post-intervention follow-up and an extended follow-up during COVID-19 lockdown.MethodsData from a single-blinded, parallel-group randomized controlled trial (PASSWORD-study, ISRCTN52388040) were utilized. Participants were 70–85 years old community-dwelling men and women from Jyväskylä, Finland. PT (n = 159) included supervised resistance, walking and balance training, home-exercises and self-administered moderate activity. PTCT (n = 155) included PT and cognitive training targeting executive functions on a computer program. Physical activity was assessed with a one-item, seven-scale question. Executive functions were assessed with color-word Stroop, Trail Making Test (TMT) B-A and Letter Fluency. Changes in physical activity were modeled with multinomial logistic models and the impact of executive functions on physical activity with latent change score models.ResultsNo significant group-by-time interaction was observed for physical activity (p>0.1). The subjects were likely to select an activity category higher than baseline throughout the study (pooled data: B = 0.720–1.614, p<0.001–0.046). Higher baseline Stroop predicted higher physical activity through all subsequent time-points (pooled data: B = 0.011–0.013, p = 0.015–0.030). Higher baseline TMT B–A predicted higher physical activity at 6m (pooled data: B = 0.007, p = 0.006) and during COVID-19 (B = 0.005, p = 0.030). In the PT group, higher baseline Letter Fluency predicted higher physical activity at 12m (B = -0.028, p = 0.030) and follow-up (B = -0.042, p = 0.002).ConclusionsCognitive training did not have additive effects over physical training alone on physical activity, but multicomponent training and higher executive function at baseline may support adaptation to and maintenance of a physically active lifestyle among older adults.

Impact of Executive Functions and Parental Anxiety on the Development of Social Cognition in Premature Children: A Cross-Sectional Case-Control Protocol.

Background: Recent research has identified neuropsychological disorders, specifically executive function disorders, in premature children. Executive functions support goal-oriented mental activity and play a role in the development of social cognition. This underlies the social and emotional behavior of individuals. Parental anxiety is also an important environmental factor that can influence the psycho-emotional development of children.Objectives: The present protocol aims to compare the development of social cognition in school-age children born prematurely to that of school-age children born full-term, and to determine the impact of executive (dys)function and parental anxiety on such development.Methods/Design: In this cross-sectional protocol, 28 prematurely born children aged 7-10 years (“preterm”) and 28 full-term born children aged 7-10 years (“control”) will be included. The “preterm” and “control” groups will be matched for sex and age. The neuropsychological evaluation will include that of non-verbal intellectual efficiency (Raven's colored progressive matrices), verbal level (WISC-IV subtests), and executive functions (NEPSY II subtests and the opposite worlds of TEA-CH). The evaluation of social cognition will be conducted via tests of the theory of cognitive and affective mind. Several dimensions of the level of parental anxiety will be collected through the Spielberg Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y, Beck Depression Inventory, Social Support Questionnaire-6, Parental Stress Index and, specifically for mothers, the Modified Perinatal Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Questionnaire.Discussion: The results of this protocol will aid our understanding of the development of social cognition in premature children and to determine the factors that influence such development. This clinical research project, although following a fundamental approach, will have clinical implications because a more precise description of the development of social cognition in this school-age population will make it possible to better determine the cognitive targets of therapeutic actions and to search for predictive indices of the efficacy of practices.Trial Registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03007095, identifier: NCT03007095.

Caregiver-reported executive functioning and associated adaptive and challenging behaviour in children with histories of developmental delay.

Deficits in executive functioning (EF) have been measured in individuals with developmental disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, through the use of behaviour rating scales and performance-based assessment. Associations between EF and variables such as challenging and adaptive behaviour have been observed; however, limited research exists on EF profiles in children with heterogeneous developmental delay or with intellectual disability (ID) or the impact of EF on adaptive and challenging behaviour with this population. The present study sought to examine the EF profile of 93 children (75 male and 18 female) previously identified with developmental delay in early childhood. EF was assessed using the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF-2). Children were categorised into an ID group (n=14) or no ID group (n=79) based on scores from cognitive and adaptive behaviour assessments. EF profiles were investigated and compared by group. In addition, the impact of EF on both adaptive behaviour and challenging behaviour was measured using hierarchical linear regressions. Statistically significant differences in caregiver-reported EF were not observed between groups; however, both the ID and the no ID group scores were elevated as reported by their caregivers. For the overall sample, caregiver-EF accounted for significant variance in both adaptive (22%) and challenging (68%) behaviour after accounting for child age and sex. Results indicated deficits in EF for children with and without ID. The significance of EF was accounted for in both adaptive and challenging behaviour for all children in the sample. Future research could elucidate the role of adaptive and challenging behaviour in understanding EF variability among children with histories of developmental delay.

Impact of executive functioning on health-related quality of life of pediatric brain tumor survivors.

Brain tumor survivors are at risk for significant late effects following treatment completion that may adversely impact health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The current study examines the relationship between executive functioning (EF) and HRQOL in pediatric brain tumor survivors within a longitudinal framework. We hypothesized that early deficits in EF would be related to less optimal HRQOL in this population. The current study utilized retrospective medical chart review to identify neurocognitive correlates of HRQOL in 137 youth previously treated for a pediatric brain tumor. Participants completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and neuropsychological assessment, including a well-validated measure of executive functioning (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function; BRIEF). General linear regression and multivariate models were utilized to examine the relationship between child executive functioning and HRQOL. Multiple domains of child executive functioning, as reported by parents on the BRIEF, significantly predicted parent-proxy reported HRQOL after controlling for demographic and medical covariates, including child intellectual functioning (IF). Similarly, after controlling for covariates, the BRIEF Cognitive Regulation Index was a significant predictor of self-reported physical and school functioning domains of HRQOL. Current data demonstrate EF is a significant predictor of HRQOL during survivorship for youth previously diagnosed with a pediatric brain tumor. Results suggest that opportunities may exist to intervene and improve HRQOL of pediatric brain tumor survivors by targeting EF.

Comparison of gifted and non-gifted students’ executive functions and high capabilities

In recent years, the analysis of the relationship between cognitive skills and student learning has focused mainly on research into the impact of executive functions on academic performance and success. This study seeks to compare the cognitive performance of gifted or high-capacity students to students with a typical development in the performance of psychological tests aimed at the evaluation of executive functions. Two groups of students were considered (gifted and regular) with the intention of matching them in terms of school level and age (ages included are 10-15). The results indicate marginally significant differences in the cognitive flexibility function and statistically significant differences in working memory, as well as in the higher cognitive functions of problem solving and reasoning, with no statistically significant differences in the tests that evaluate inhibitory control and planning. These data suggest that psychological tests centred on the assessment of cognitive functions may complement the more traditional use of IQ tests for signalling and evaluating students with traits of giftedness.

Executive Functions Are Associated with Fall Risk but not Balance in Chronic Cerebrovascular Disease.

Background: Older people’s deficits in executive functions (EF) have been shown to lead to higher fall risk, postural sway, and reduced speed. Crucially, EF impairments are even more pronounced in individuals with chronic cerebrovascular disease (CVD), namely vascular cognitive impairment. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we used a complete neuropsychological battery, including the Trail Making Test (TMT) and physical measures, such as the Morse fall and EQUI scales, to assess 66 individuals with chronic CVD. Linear regressions, Bayesian analyses, and model selection were performed to see the impact of EF, global cognition, and vascular parkinsonism/hemiplegia on physical measures (fall risk and balance). Results: The TMT part B and BA correlated (r = 0.44 and r = 0.45) with Morse fall scale. Only EF significantly explained fall risk, whereas global cognition and vascular parkinsonism/hemiplegia did not. These findings were confirmed by Bayesian evidence and parsimony model selection. Balance was not significantly correlated with any of the neuropsychological tests. Conclusions: This is the first study investigating the relationship between cognitive and physical measures in a sample of older people with chronic CVD. The results are consistent with previous findings that link EF with fall risk in CVD.

Performance on Daily Life Activities and Executive Functioning in Parkinson Disease

Purpose: This study aimed to know the impact of executive functions on the performance of instrumental activities of daily living in Parkinson disease (PD). Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 94 participants (64 PD and 30 controls). Results: The poor inhibitory control and verbal fluency in PD could be related to their performance on instrumental activities of daily living as poorer executive performance directly influences the motor and process skills needed to perform instrumental activities of daily living. Conclusion: Our results suggest that rehabilitation activities for these executive tasks could be of interest for the performance of PD patients.

MOTOR PROGRAMMING PREDICTS THE FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY GAIN IN PATIENTS WITH RIGHT HEMISPHERIC FRONTAL STROKE

Executive functioning significantly affects the functional rehabilitation progress in stroke patients. The current study are aimed to examine the impact of executive functions on functional recovery gain in a sample of right hemispheric (RH) frontal stroke patients. A total of 50 inpatients admitted to the Theseus Rehabilitation Center and diagnosed with RH frontal stroke were included in this study. The initial assessment of executive functioning was conducted using the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB). Functional recovery of basic activities of daily living (ADLs) was computed by the difference between follow-up and baseline Barthel Index (BI) scores. Pearson’s analysis revealed that the FAB global scores significantly correlated with the BI gain scores. Additionally, multiple regression analysis showed a significant contribution of only motor programming to the basic ADLs recovery gain. The global status of executive function was found to be significantly associated with functional recovery gain, and motor programming was the strongest predictor in RH frontal stroke patients. These findings are discussed for the treatment rehabilitation prognosis.

The role of executive functions and transcription skills in writing: a cross-sectional study across 7 years of schooling

Findings around the cognitive resources needed to compose text have helped shape current models of writing. Some of these models predict that text generation is constrained by two groups of skills: transcription (i.e., spelling and handwriting) and executive functions (EFs). While the constraining role of transcription on text generation is robust, the relationship between writing and EFs is more scarce. Some studies suggest that the impact of EFs on writing development is not only direct, but also indirect, through transcription skills. However, few studies have analyzed these effects over a sufficiently wide developmental period. In this paper, we examined transcription and EF skills in a large sample of beginner (G2), intermediate (G4), and upper-intermediate (G8) children (N = 1337). Each participant produced a narrative and an opinion essay. In addition, we collected measures of the low-level EFs of inhibition and updating of working memory, as well as measures of handwriting fluency and spelling accuracy. Results showed that EFs impacted text generation directly and indirectly via transcription skills, especially via handwriting. Transcription skills constrained text generation across grade levels and its weight was similar from the youngest through to the oldest age group. We conclude that EFs support low-level writing skills, as well as key processes involved in children’s text composing (i.e., knowledge-telling processes). Relevant educational implications are discussed.

Parent and Teacher Perspectives on the Role of Executive Functioning (EF) in School Success for Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Abstract Date Presented 04/05/19 The research presented is a survey of parents and teachers of adolescents with ASD as to their perceptions of the impact of executive functioning (EF) on participation and success in school-related activities. The results indicate several areas of EF that impact participation of students with ASD from both a parent and teacher perspective. Primary Author and Speaker: Aimee Piller Additional Authors and Speakers: Molly Hahn-Floyd, Cari Hobbs, Diane Ethington

Influence of current state of executive function and working memory on adherence to antimuscarinic therapy in older women with OAB.

AimEvaluation of the executive function and working memory influence, as well as the general state of memory, on adherence to treatment with antimuscarinic drugs in elderly women with overactive bladder (OAB).BackgroundAntimuscarinic are effective and safe for the treatment of OAB, but adherence to treatment remains low. Demographic, socioeconomic, and medical factors which influence the medication adherence have been explored; however, the impact of executive function and working memory on adherence has not been evaluated yet.MethodsIn total 417 women from 65 to 88 years old with the diagnosis overactive bladder were selected to participate in the study. They were prescribed AM drugs: trospium 15 mg / day (n = 138), or Solifenacin 5 mg / day (n = 132), or Darifenacin 7.5 mg / day (n = 147). The observation was carried out for 12 weeks. The urodynamic state was investigated using the questionnaire OABq-SF, uroflowmetry was performed at the start and end of the study, voiding diary - during the whole time of observation. The state of mental health was investigated using MMSE and GDS. The assessment of executive function and working memory, as well as general memory estimation, was carried out using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Wechsler Memory Scale subscale, and the California Verbal Learning Test. Hierarchical and simultaneous regressions were calculated to study the effect of executive function and working memory on medication adherence.ResultsThe urodynamic state of patients significantly improved after the treatment, the cognitive functions did not change. The analysis of hierarchical and simultaneous regressions made it possible to establish that the predictor variables significantly influencing medication adherence of elderly women with OAB to AM treatment are executive function and working memory composite (β = .39, p < .05), severe symptoms of lower urinary tract (β =. -. 31, p < .05), and age (β =. -. 25, p < .05).ConclusionThe status of executive function and working memory, as well as the age and severity of the pathological symptoms of lower urinary tract should be considered when predicting adherence to AM treatment in elderly patients with OAB.

Beyond depression: The impact of executive functioning on quality of life in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy

ObjectiveIndividuals with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) often experience diminished quality of life (QoL). Although comorbid depression is one of the most recognized predictors of poor QoL in TLE, impairments in verbal memory (VM) and executive functioning (EF), have also been identified as risk factors, independent of other biological and psychosocial factors. In this study, we examine the contribution of depression, VM, and EF to QoL in 52 well-characterized medically-refractory TLE patients. MethodsQuality of life was assessed with the Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QOLIE-31) questionnaire and depression symptomatology was evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Tests of VM included the California Verbal Learning Test-Second Edition and the Wechsler Memory Scale-Third Edition, Logical Memory and Verbal Paired Associates subtests. Tests of EF included the D-KEFS Category Switching and Color Word Interference Tests, and the Trail Making Test. Using these measures, a principal component (PC) was derived for VM and for EF. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the unique contributions of BDI-II Score, VM PC, and EF PC to the QOLIE-31 Total Score, while controlling for important clinical and demographic variables. Post-hoc analyses were also performed to examine the contribution of each variable to specific QOLIE subscales. ResultsOf the clinical variables, only number of antiepileptic drugs contributed to QOLIE scores. As expected, severity of depressive symptoms was the most significant predictor of QOLIE Total Score, explaining 43.4% of the variance in total QoL. The VM PC did not contribute to the QOLIE Total Score. Rather, our EF PC emerged as an important predictor of QoL, explaining an additional 5% of the variance, after controlling for clinical variables, depression severity, and VM performance. SignificanceThese findings suggest that a combination of clinical, affective, and cognitive factors influence QoL in patients with TLE. Designing interventions with careful attention to depression and EF may be needed to optimize QoL in patients with refractory TLE and potentially other epilepsy syndromes.

Assessing knowledge: psychometric properties of the BAMS semantic memory battery

Abstract Background: Semantic memory is a cultural influenced cognitive domain that is responsible for our knowledge about words and the world. Semantic Memory Battery (BAMS) is a new battery that evaluate semantic memory based on a compendium of tasks, including verbal fluency, naming, conceptualization, categorization, general questions, and word definitions, and was designed to consider cultural aspects. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the BAMS psychometrics structure comprising classical and modern analysis, and also evaluate a clinical subdivision of the battery. Methods: 114 Brazilian cognitively healthy older adults BAMS performance provided data for psychometric analysis using validity tests, item response theory analysis and confirmatory factor analysis for goodness-of-fit measures. Results: BAMS results revealed good validity and good-fit measures in each subtest, total score (X2 = 20.684, p = 0.110) and a hierarchical structure with clinical subdivision of the battery (X2 = 20.089, p = 0.093). Discussion: BAMS is a new compendium of tasks that evaluate distinct aspects of semantic memory and can clinically consider the impact of executive function. This battery evaluates verbal fluency, naming, conceptualization, categorization, general knowledge and word definitions. The BAMS has clinical importance once semantic memory is mostly influenced by culture and language, and there is an absence of broadly semantic memory tests in our scenario, especially with older adults that can have a pathological aging condition that affects primarily or secondarily this domain.

Developmental trends of hot and cool executive function in school-aged children with and without autism spectrum disorder: Links with theory of mind.

The development of executive function (EF) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been investigated using only "cool"-cognitive EF tasks while there is limited knowledge regarding the development of "hot"-affective EF. Although cool EF development and its links to theory of mind (ToM) have been widely examined, understanding of the influence of hot EF to ToM mechanisms is minimal. The present study introduced a longitudinal design to examine the developmental changes in cool and hot EF of children with ASD (n = 45) and matched (to age and IQ) controls (n = 37) as well as the impact of EF on ToM development over a school year. For children with ASD, although selective cool (working memory and inhibition) and hot (affective decision making) EF domains presented age-related improvements, they never reached the performance level of the control group. Early cool working memory predicted later ToM in both groups but early hot delay discounting predicted later ToM only in the ASD group. No evidence was found for the reverse pattern (early ToM predicting later EF). These findings suggest that improvements in some EF aspects are evident in school age in ASD and highlight the crucial role that both cool and hot EF play in ToM development.

The Impact of Executive Functions and Emotional Intelligence on Iowa Gambling Task Performance: Focus on Right Frontal Lobe Damage.

Decision-making in the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) has been intensively studied regarding both the "hot" and "cold" components. The ventromedial prefrontal cortex is a key region involved in processing somatic marker information, though recent findings suggest dorsolateral regions are also important. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is also known as a substrate of executive functions-the cold component of decision-making. However, there is contradictory evidence about the role of executive functions, as well as the hot component of decision-making-emotional intelligence. Previous findings suggest that patients with right frontal lobe lesions find decision-making more problematic in IGT. The goal of this study is to replicate previous findings on IGT performance in patients with dorsolateral lesions compared to controls. We obtained data from patients with right frontal lobe tumors (n = 12), localized in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and healthy controls (n = 21) who undertook the IGT, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT), and D-KEFS Color-Word Interference Test. The performance in the IGT, WCST, and EI tests is impaired in the clinical group. At the subgroup level, we found patients had lower EI scores regarding the ability to use "emotions for thinking facilitation". However, we found an interaction between the EI scores regarding the ability "the perception and identification of emotions" and the performance on WCST only in the patient group. This study raises the possibility of identifying components of EI which could be helpful in understanding the impairment of patients with right dorsolateral lesions.

Impact of executive function on efficacy obtaining resources following intimate partner violence

AbstractFollowing intimate partner violence (IPV), women risk losing resources needed to meet their basic needs, such as food and housing. To identify potential points of community intervention, the current study examined the role of executive function (EF) in women's efficacy to obtain resources following a police‐reported physical IPV incident. Participants were 199 women from diverse, urban, and largely lower‐income backgrounds. As predicted, greater physical abuse was associated with worse EF performance and worse EF was associated with less efficacy in obtaining resources 1 year later. Greater physical abuse was indirectly related to less efficacy in obtaining resources via EF, even when controlling for income. Results provide information regarding EF as a potential link in the relationship between IPV and obtaining resources among women of lower‐income backgrounds. In the context of limited resources, preparing community service professionals to use EF‐focused interventions (e.g., to structure tasks, repeat instructions) may support women's efforts to access resources.

The Impact of Executive Functions and Emotional Intelligence on Iowa Gambling Task Performance: Focus on Right Frontal Lobe Damage

Decision-making under uncertainty in the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) has been intensively studied over the last twenty years regarding both “hot” and “cold” components. The ventromedial prefrontal cortex is a key region involved in processing somatic marker information, though recent findings suggest that dorsolateral regions are also important. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is also known as a substrate of executive functions—the cold component of decision-making. However, there is contradictory evidence about the role of executive functions, as well as the hot component of decision-making—emotional intelligence. This study seeks to address this inconsistency. Previous findings suggest that patients with right frontal lobe lesions should find decision-making more problematic in IGT. This article investigates the importance of emotional intelligence as the hot and executive functions as the cold components of decision-making in IGT. We obtained data from patients with right frontal lobe tumours and healthy controls who undertook IGT, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and D-KEFS Colour-Word Interference Test. The current findings imply that performance in IGT is highly correlated with several parameters of set-shifting in the WCST: correct answers, conceptual level responses and non-perseverative errors. However, no correlation is found with cognitive inhibition parameters in the Colour-Word Interference Test, while an interaction between the emotional intelligence parameters and the performance on IGT is low.

The Impact of Executive Functions on the Written Language Process: Some Evidence From Children With Writing Disabilities

Written language is a difficult endeavour as the demands of transcription require self-regulatory skills from a motor, cognitive and attention perspective. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relation between the Test of Writing Difficulties (Porpodas et al., 2007) and the Test of Detection and Investigation of Executive Functions (Simos et al., 2007) in a sample of 50 Greek-speaking, 5th-grade students with writing disabilities. The results of our study indicated that there were significant Pearson correlations ranging from .35 to .44 between executive functions and written expression. Furthermore, regression analysis showed that the subscales of the Test of Executive Functions had significant predictive power for spelling correctness and correction of jumbled sentences. Further implications of these findings for a school-based neuropsychological evaluation and planning of individualised educational interventions are discussed.