Dual-task performance in dysexecutive and nondysexecutive patients with a frontal lesion.
Patients with defined frontal lobe lesions were assigned to 1 of 2 groups based on whether they showed a behaviorally assessed dysexecutive syndrome or were behaviorally normal. All participants were tested on dual-task performance and on 2 tasks assumed to measure frontal lobe function, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and verbal fluency. The dysexecutive group differed significantly from the nondysexecutive in showing impaired capacity for dual-task coordination, but there were no significant differences on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and verbal fluency. Results are interpreted in terms of a multicomponent central executive, whose function is linked to, but not coterminous with, the operation of the frontal lobes.
Baddeley
A
A
MRC Applied Psychology Unit, Cambridge, England.
Della Sala
S
S
Papagno
C
C
Spinnler
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001519:Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis