Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.24141/1/3/2/2
Application of the Executive Function Performance Test (EFPT) After Meningioma Surgery
Matea Ćelić
Andreja Bartolac
orcid.org/0000-0002-9472-5154
; University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Executive functions are an integrating system of interconnected central neural processes that regulate higher-order cognitive functions and allow us to understand human behaviour. Executive function disorder is reflected through difficulties in performing everyday activities in an independent and purposeful way. The aim of this paper is to analyse the occupational performance of a person with an executive function disorder through an assessment that is not based on isolated features of executive functions, but on the integration of these features based on the task being performed. In accordance with the occupational paradigm in which a link between occupation and health exists, we applied the Executive Function Performance Test (EFPT) and performed a case study of a female client after frontal
meningioma surgery. Although the test satisfied the psychometric properties, at certain points the items were not adjusted to the Croatian context, since descriptions of tasks allowed only one way of their execution, which were its main downside. Also, the standardized guidance system in the test may not reflect the actually needed level of assistance, since the test equipment was not sorted according to the real context. Nevertheless, from a perspective of the occupation oriented rehabilitation, and considering the lack of such assessment instruments in practice, the EFPT is potentially a very useful tool for assessing the degree of independence in performing everyday activities. Moreover, we suggested solutions to aforementioned methodological challenges in applying this test.
Keywords
executive functions; occupational assessment; case study
Hrčak ID:
190885
URI
Publication date:
18.12.2017.
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