title: Executive functions profiles in traumatic brain injury adults: Implications for rehabilitation studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to identify and characterize profiles of executive functions (EF) following traumatic brain injury (TBI).
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample was comprised of 84 adult outpatients with mild and moderate/severe TBI who were assessed by means of a battery of EF tasks. A Hierarchical Cluster analysis was performed with tasks Z-scores. Clusters were compared by means of ANOVA and Chi-square analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three clusters were characterized by deficits in: (1) inhibition, flexibility and focused attention; (2) inhibition, flexibility, working memory and focused attention; and (3) no expressive executive deficits. Clusters did not differ in clinical or demographical variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The first cluster replicated findings of previous studies on TBI EF profiles. IT is suggested that TBI rehabilitation studies of EF must select participants by their EF profile rather than for clinical or demographical variables.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul , Brazil .
authors.forename: Nicolle
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Andressa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hermes-Pereira
authors.forename: Maila
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holz
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Joanette
authors.forename: Rochele Paz
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Fonseca
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000145:classification* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001938:Brazil; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D056344:Executive Function / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
keywords: Cluster analysis; executive functions; methods; neuropsychological assessment; traumatic brain injury