Age and Ageing 2001; 30: 251-254
© 2001, British Geriatrics Society
Research papers |
A comparison of the new executive functioning domains of the CAMCOG-R with existing tests of executive function in elderly stroke survivors
University Department of Geriatric Medicine, Glan Clwyd Hospital, Rhyl LL18 5UJ, UK
1 Dementia Services Development Centre, University of Wales Bangor, Bangor, UK
Abstract
Aim: to compare the two new executive function tests of the revised Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG-R), a bedside measure of cognitive function, with existing neuropsychological assessments of executive function in elderly stroke survivors.
Methods: we assessed 83 stroke survivors at 1 and 3 months post-stroke with the new CAMCOG-R, the Weigl colour form sorting test and Raven's coloured progressive matrices. We assessed functional recovery with the Barthel index and depression with the self-report 15-item geriatric depression scale. We used descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, paired t-tests and principal axis factor analyses to interpret the data.
Results: the new CAMCOG-R executive functioning tests showed moderate correlation with the Weigl and Raven tests (P<0.01). Improved functional outcome as measured by the Barthel index was significantly associated with higher executive function test scores (P<0.05). Depression was significantly associated with poorer performance on all tasks of executive function (P<0.05). A factor analysis of the scores on all of the neuropsychological tests revealed a single strong factor that accounted for 66% of the variance. The CAMCOG-R and the executive functioning subscales used in this population established sensitivity to change over time.
Conclusion: although the new executive tests of the CAMCOG-R compared reasonably well with the Weigl and Raven neuropsychological tests, the extra time taken to administer the CAMCOG-R may not be justified. The new CAMCOG-R executive function tests were vulnerable to the effects of depression. Finally, the executive function tests might have provided more of a global measure of cognitive function, raising doubts about their construct validity in our patient population.
Keywords: CAMCOG-R, cognition, construct validity, executive function, stroke
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  T. Tsoi, S. Baillon, and J. Lindesay Early Frontal Executive Impairment as a Predictor of Subsequent Behavior Disturbance in Dementia Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, February 1, 2008; 16(2): 102 - 108. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Heinik and I. Solomesh Validity of the Cambridge Cognitive Examination-Revised New Executive Function Scores in the Diagnosis of Dementia: Some Early Findings J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol, March 1, 2007; 20(1): 22 - 28. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. Ballard, E. Rowan, S. Stephens, R. Kalaria, and R. A. Kenny Prospective Follow-Up Study Between 3 and 15 Months After Stroke: Improvements and Decline in Cognitive Function Among Dementia-Free Stroke Survivors >75 Years of Age Stroke, October 1, 2003; 34(10): 2440 - 2444. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. R. Royall, E. C. Lauterbach, J. L. Cummings, A. Reeve, T. A. Rummans, D. I. Kaufer, W. C. LaFrance Jr., and C. E. Coffey Executive Control Function: A Review of Its Promise and Challenges for Clinical Research. A Report From the Committee on Research of the American Neuropsychiatric Association J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci, November 1, 2002; 14(4): 377 - 405. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|