The relationship between neuropsychological functioning and instrumental activities of daily living following acquired brain injury.
The present study examined the ecological validity of neuropsychological tests relative to instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) among 55 participants in a post-acute brain injury rehabilitation program. Stronger intellectual abilities, visual memory, delayed memory, verbal learning, and cognitive flexibility were significantly associated with success on the IADL tasks. However, each IADL task placed unique demands on cognitive abilities. Behavioral ratings of attention span and frustration tolerance also were positively related to task completion. Multiple aspects of patient functioning (neuropsychological abilities, self-regulatory behaviors), as well as task characteristics, must be considered to predict outcomes in everyday functioning.
Farmer
J E
JE
University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA.
Eakman
A M
AM