Executive Functioning In Child Survivors of Pediatric Cerebellar Astrocytomas

Twenty children who underwent surgery for CPA and were between the ages of eight and 16 years participated in the study. Each child was administered a multidimensional neuropsychological battery of EF, which consisted of the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, and the subtests comprising the Working Memory Index from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Fourth Edition. Parents and teachers completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and the Behavior Assessment System for Children - Second Edition (BASC-2). No significant differences were found between the CPA group's performance on the clinical measures and the normative test means. Teacher ratings on the BRIEF showed that the CPA group exhibited significantly more difficulties with working memory, whereas parent ratings showed significantly more difficulties with inhibition, mental flexibility, emotional control, initiation of activities, working memory, planning/organization, and monitoring behavior. In terms of emotional and behavioral functioning on the BASC-2, parents rated the CPA group as exhibiting significantly more difficulties with depression, withdrawal, and overall behavioral problems. Parent ratings on the BASC-2 also showed significantly more problems in several areas of adaptive functioning. This study did not replicate the findings of previous studies on EF in pediatric CPA samples. Although EF impairments were not evident, the CPA sample exhibited subtle and mild EF and behavioral/emotional difficulties.

Author dc:creator

• Perez, Rogelio

Contributors dc:contributor

• Stavinoha, Peter L.

• Astrocytoma
• Executive Function
• Child Psychology

Language dc:language

en

Identifier

760179302

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:utswmed-ir.tdl.org:2152.5/626