title: Stability of executive functioning measures in 8-17-year-old children with unilateral cerebral palsy.
abstract: The study investigated the stability of executive functioning (EF) measures in children and adolescents aged 8-17 years with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP). Here 44 participants with unilateral CP (mean age = 11 years, 11 months; Manual Abilities Classification Scale Level I = 6 and Level II = 37; Gross Motor Function Classification Scale Level I = 22 and Level II = 22) were randomized into the wait-list control group of a large randomized controlled trial. Participants had baseline testing with Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children--Fourth Edition Short Form (WISC-IV-SF) and Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) subtests. Parents completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF). Participants were re-assessed 20 ±2 weeks later with a shortened test battery including the D-KEFS subtests; Digit Span, Coding and Symbol Search (WISC-IV); and BRIEF. Pearson's test-retest reliabilities and Reliable change scores were calculated. Results indicated excellent to fair test-retest reliabilities (r = 0.91-0.74) for all measures except Digit Span Backwards (r = 0.62), Inhibition (r = 0.69), and Initiate (r = 0.68). Reliable change scores applying 90% confidence intervals for estimating reliable change while accounting for practice effects were provided for all measures. The data support the stability of EF measures in this population.
authors.affiliation: a Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre, School of Medicine , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , QLD 4029 , Australia.
authors.forename: Adina M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Piovesana
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Koa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Whittingham
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Ware
authors.forename: Roslyn N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Boyd
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000502:physiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014888:Wechsler Scales / Q000592:standards*
keywords: Adolescents.; Cerebral palsy; Children; Executive functioning; Test–retest reliability