Article

OBJECTIVES: To validate a new functional assessment tool, the Goal Processing
Scale (GPS), and to apply it for testing for sources of dysfunction in patients
with acquired brain injury. Determining which component processes of executive
functioning underlie poor performance in complex, low-structure settings would be
valuable for the assessment of deficits and for evaluating the effectiveness of
treatments. PARTICIPANTS: Nineteen individuals with chronic acquired brain injury
(mean age = 41.4 years; chronicity: 6 months to 39 years). MAIN MEASURES: Two
functional assessment tasks: (1) GPS, which evaluates functional performance in
the context of achieving a goal in a "real-world" setting, with rating scales
measuring overall performance and 8 subdomains of executive functioning; (2)
Multiple Errands Test, an unstructured assessment of ability to adhere to rules
and complete multiple "real-world" tasks in a short time; and (3) a
neuropsychological battery. RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficients for 2
independent raters ranged from 0.75 to 0.98 for the GPS overall composite score
and the subdomain scores. Performance on GPS overall and several subdomain scores
correlated with performance on the Multiple Errands Test. Working memory and
learning/memory neuropsychological measures predicted functional performance as
measured using the GPS. DISCUSSION: The GPS shows high interrater reliability,
suggesting convergent validity with an established functional performance
measure, and produces useful information regarding strengths and weaknesses in
different subdomains of executive functioning. Working memory and learning/memory
appear to be key determinants of goal-directed functioning for these individuals
with brain injury.

Langue : ANGLAIS