RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: We conducted two empirical studies (in a cross-sectional and a longitudinal design) with the aim at establishing normative data (including norms for strategy use [i.e., clustering and switching strategies] and performance over time), and examining the convergent validity, the test-retest reliability (3-4 wks interval) and the changes in performance with practice (1 year interval) of the different verbal fluency (VF) quantitative and qualitative scores in Spanish-speaking children and adolescents. METHOD: In S1 (n = 620 6- to 15-year-old Spanish-speaking children and adolescents), MANCOVA and Pearson's correlations were employed. In S2 (n = 148 6- to 12-year-old Spanish-speaking children), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), paired t-tests, and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used. RESULTS: S1 results showed an age effect on all VF measures (quantitative and qualitative). The number of switches/clusters was more related to total word productivity and to executive functions (EF) than the mean cluster size. In S2, a significant increase in phonological VF performance was observed on number of switches and word productivity scores from baseline (Time 1) to repeat testing at Time 2. Practice effects were observed at Time 3 on all measures except for semantic and phonological mean cluster size. Test-retest reliability coefficients at Time 2 for number of clusters and switches, but not for mean cluster size, fell in the moderate range, ranging from ICCs .61 to ICCs .81. Test-retest reliability coefficients for total word productivity were higher (ICCs above .80) and stronger when testing as a unity with CFA methods (Ï=.94, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: These data may be relevant for informing the neuropsychological assessment of spontaneous cognitive flexibility in children with typical development (TD) and those with developmental or acquired disorders.
Assuntos
Comportamento Verbal , Humanos , Criança , Masculino , Feminino , Adolescente , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Estudos Transversais , Estudos Longitudinais , Comportamento Verbal/fisiologia , Função Executiva/fisiologia , Testes Neuropsicológicos/normas , Testes Neuropsicológicos/estatística & dados numéricos , Valores de ReferênciaRESUMO
The goal of this review is to perform a critical analysis of the instruments used to assess executive functions (EFs) in preschool and school-age children in Brazil. We identified 37 assessment measures through a systematic review. Some performance-based tests for assessing working memory and inhibition were identified. However, there is a lack of rating measures and instruments to assess flexibility and planning in clinical practice. We observed regional differences in the performance of EFs measures. One possible explanation may be the use of normative samples from more highly-developed regions to characterize performance in less-developed regions. However, there may be alternative explanations, such as variations in the exposure to testing and the adequacy of test materials in different regions. Joint efforts among research groups should be encouraged in order to obtain normative references that are more representative of the socio-cultural diversity of the country. This improvement is essential to better understand the typical and atypical development of EFs and how the peculiarities of each country's context and culture can impact its trajectory.
Assuntos
Função Executiva , Memória de Curto Prazo , Brasil , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Função Executiva/fisiologia , Humanos , Inibição Psicológica , Instituições AcadêmicasRESUMO
The aims of Study 1 (S1) were (a) to compare the task performance of 361 typically developing (TD) children aged 7 to 12 years, according to the mode of Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) administration (manual vs. computerized) and b) to examine the contributions of executive functions (EFs) (i.e., working memory [WM], shifting and inhibition) to each WCST version. The objectives of Study 2 (S2) were (a) to study the comparability of the results obtained from the manual version to the results from the computer version in 43 children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and (b) to compare task performance on both versions between children with ADHD and TD children. The effect of age was only significant for the manual WCST. Regression analyses revealed that WM and shifting contributed to manual WCST performance, whereas WM and inhibition contributed to the performance on the computer version. We observed differences depending on the WCST mode of administration, as better scores for the manual version were recorded for both TD children and children with ADHD, despite similar performance on tasks involving other EFs. Additionally, children with ADHD performed worse than TD children on both versions. Our findings suggest that verbal face-to-face interactions would play a significant role in supporting children's abilities to solve novel situations characterized by uncertainty.
Assuntos
Transtorno do Deficit de Atenção com Hiperatividade/fisiopatologia , Desenvolvimento Infantil/fisiologia , Função Executiva/fisiologia , Inibição Psicológica , Memória de Curto Prazo/fisiologia , Desempenho Psicomotor/fisiologia , Teste de Classificação de Cartas de Wisconsin/normas , Transtorno do Deficit de Atenção com Hiperatividade/diagnóstico , Criança , Diagnóstico por Computador/normas , Feminino , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMO
Though the relationship between executive functions (EFs) and mathematical skills has been well documented, little is known about how both EFs and IQ differentially support diverse math domains in primary students. Inconsistency of results may be due to the statistical techniques employed, specifically, if the analysis is conducted with observed variables, i.e., regression analysis, or at the latent level, i.e., structural equation modeling (SEM). The current study explores the contribution of both EFs and IQ in mathematics through an SEM approach. A total of 118 8- to 12-year-olds were administered measures of EFs, crystallized (Gc) and fluid (Gf) intelligence, and math abilities (i.e., number production, mental calculus and arithmetical problem-solving). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) offered support for the three-factor solution of EFs: (1) working memory (WM), (2) shifting, and (3) inhibition. Regarding the relationship among EFs, IQ and math abilities, the results of the SEM analysis showed that (i) WM and age predict number production and mental calculus, and (ii) shifting and sex predict arithmetical problem-solving. In all of the SEM models, EFs partially or totally mediated the relationship between IQ, age and math achievement. These results suggest that EFs differentially supports math abilities in primary-school children and is a more significant predictor of math achievement than IQ level.
Assuntos
Função Executiva/fisiologia , Inibição Psicológica , Inteligência , Matemática , Memória de Curto Prazo/fisiologia , Estudantes/psicologia , Logro , Criança , Análise Fatorial , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Resolução de Problemas , Instituições AcadêmicasRESUMO
El objetivo de la presente investigación fue describir y comparar las ejecuciones en tareas que evalúan la retención audio verbal en niños preescolares y escolares. Participaron 210 niños (30 niños por cada grado escolar), del tercer grado de preescolar al sexto grado de primaria de escuelas oficiales urbanas del estado de Puebla-México. Se aplicó la"Evaluación Neuropsicológica Infantil Puebla-Sevilla", instrumento derivado de la neuropsicología histórico-cultural, el cual se dirige a la valoración de diversos factores neuropsicológicos. Se encontraron diferencias cualitativas y cuantitativas en las ejecuciones de los niños, dependientes del grado escolar. En los primeros grados se observó menor cantidad de aciertos y mayor cantidad de errores, el más frecuente fue la disminución del volumen de la información. Se analiza la utilidad de contar con la caracterización de ejecuciones típicas de una población infantil mexicana de niños normales, precisando las diferencias cualitativas y cuantitativas entre grados escolares, y no según la edad, como frecuentemente se realiza.
This research aims to describe and compare the executions of the tasks for assessing auditory- verbal retention in preschool and school children. The participants of the study were 210 children from third preschool level through sixth grade of primary school (30 from each school grade). The study took place in public institutions in the city of Puebla (Mexico). The protocol of "Neuropsychological Assessment for children in Puebla-Sevilla", which is an instrument derived from historical and cultural neuropsychology, was used. The instrument includes items for evaluation of diverse neuropsychological factors. According to the school grade, quantitative and qualitative differences were detected in children s execution. First grades of primary school presented severe errors, being the reduction of information amount one of the most frequent evidences. The article analyses the usefulness of common executions in children without difficulties in their development. Quantitative and qualitative differences are specified conforming to the school grades on behalf of chronological age.
RESUMO
En el presente artículo, se describen las actualizaciones relacionadas con las patologías de la comunicación, estrictamente de carácter congénito, según las últimas revisiones publicadas por la American Psychiatric Association en su quinta edición, las cuales consideran las principales contribuciones de las neurociencias, a partir de las investigaciones realizadas en torno a la temática de los trastornos del neurodesarrollo que, durante las dos últimas décadas, han suscitado un amplio escenario de posibilidades para una mayor comprensión de las distintas alteraciones en esta esfera del desarrollo psicológico, redefiniendo y esclareciendo con mayor precisión aquellas características relevantes de los diversos cuadros clínicos afines. Asimismo, estos estudios han contribuido con reveladores hallazgos, tanto a nivel sintomatológico como sindrómico, para un mejor entendimiento de estas patologías del desarrollo temprano, siendo estos aportes de gran relevancia dentro del campo de la neuropsicología infantil, cuya integración de estrategias tanto clínicas como educativas ha favorecido su pertinente participación en el tratamiento en estas dificultades, fortaleciendo así tanto el ejercicio del diagnóstico diferencial como de aquellos procedimientos de rehabilitación, cuya rigurosidad se fundamenta en el uso de métodos controlados y modernos enfoques afines a esta disciplina mencionada.
In this article, updates related to communication disorders, strictly congenital character, are described, according to the latest reviews published by the American Psychiatric Association in its ï¬fth edition, which considered the main contributions of neuroscience, based on the research conducted around the theme of neurodevelopmental disorders, which during the past two decades, have attracted widespread scenario of possibilities for greater understanding of the various changes in the area of psychological development, redeï¬ning and clarifying more precisely those relevant characteristics of the various related clinical conditions. Furthermore, these studies have contributed to revealing ï¬ndings, both syndromic and symptomatic level, for a better understanding of these early development disorders, being highly relevant contributions in the ï¬eld of child neuropsychology, which integration of clinical and educational strategies has favored its relevant participation in treatment on these difï¬culties, thereby strengthening the exercise of differential diagnosis and rehabilitation of those procedures, which rigor is based on the controlled use of modern methods and approaches related to this discipline.
RESUMO
Fundamento: La aplicación de instrumentos neurosicológicos en la edad preescolar es una necesidad a favor de conocer e intervenir en las habilidades previas a la etapa escolar. El bajo peso al nacer, los desórdenes metabólicos, los antecedentes de hipoxia perinatal, los signos neurológicos menores y los trastornos de hiperactividad son desviaciones del neurodesarrollo que tienen un perfil cognitivo deficitario en la edad preescolar. Objetivo: Ofrecer una revisión sobre el estado de las funciones mentales superiores con la prueba Luria Inicial en el niño preescolar con desviaciones del neurodesarrollo en Cuba. Desarrollo: Se reflexiona a partir de los resultados de la prueba Luria Inicial en el niño preescolar en diferentes desviaciones del neurodesarrollo de interés en la comunidad internacional como, el bajo peso al nacer, los desórdenes metabólicos, los antecedentes de hipoxia perinatal, los signos neurológicos menores y los trastornos de hiperactividad. Conclusiones: Los niños con alteraciones del neurodesarrollo en la edad preescolar presentan un patrón cognitivo deficitario en común. Independiente a la alteración neurológica que tengan los niños, la función reguladora del lenguaje, la habilidad viso espacial, el acto motor voluntario y el razonamiento verbal y matemático, son sensibles a no establecerse en tiempo.
Background: The application of neuropsychological instruments in preschool ages is a necessity for knowing and intervening in the pre-school stage skills. The low birth weight, metabolic disorders, history of perinatal hypoxia, minor neurological signs and hyperactivity disorders are neurodevelopmental deviations that have a cognitive deficit profile in preschool ages. Objective: To provide a review on the state of higher mental functions with Initial Luria test in preschool children with neurodevelopmental deviations in Cuba. Development: There is a reflection based on the results of the Initial Luria test in the preschool child in different neurodevelopmental deviations of interest for the international community, such as low birth weight, metabolic disorders, history of perinatal hypoxia, minor neurological signs and hyperactivity disorders. Conclusions: Children with neurodevelopmental disorders in preschool ages have a common cognitive deficit pattern. Despite of the neurological disorder children may have, the regulatory function of language, the visuo spatial ability, voluntary motor act and verbal and mathematical reasoning, are sensitive to not settle in time.
Assuntos
Humanos , Bateria Neuropsicológica de Luria-Nebraska , Pré-EscolarRESUMO
Este artículo se realizó con el objetivo de presentar los resultados de la aplicación de un programa de corrección basado en los principios teóricos de la neuropsicología de Luria, implementado en el caso de un menor en edad preescolar con diagnóstico de Trastorno por déficit de Atención. Se realizó una evaluación anterior y posterior a la aplicación del programa, que se basó en la formación gradual de los mecanismos cerebrales identificados con debilidades, mediante actividades propias de la edad preescolar (juego), ejecutadas de manera compartida entre el niño y el adulto. El análisis cualitativo mostró que el programa favorece el desarrollo de los mecanismos cerebrales que participan en la autorregulación.
This article aimed to show the findings about the application of a correction program, based on the theoretical principles of Luria's neuropsychology, implemented in the case of a preschooler diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. An anterior and posterior evaluation of the program application was conducted, based on the gradual formation of the brain mechanisms identified with weaknesses, through activities related with the preschooler age (play), and carried out on a share basis between the child and the adult. The qualitative analysis showed that the program promotes the development of the brain mechanisms involved in self-regulation.
RESUMO
Resumen En los últimos años, el estudio de las funciones ejecutivas (FE) asociado a diferentes trastornos del neurodesarrollo ha experimentado un notable auge en el ámbito de la neuropsicología infantil. En el presente artículo revisamos los principales modelos teóricos del funcionamiento ejecutivo en niños atendiendo a sus implicancias tanto para la valoración clínica como para la praxis educativa. En relación con sus bases neuroanatómicas se destacan los modelos neurofuncionales que ponen el acento en la fluida relación entre la corteza prefrontal (CPF) y las FE así como en la riqueza de conexiones entre la CPF y diferentes regiones corticales y estructuras subcorticales. Finalmente, examinamos los perfiles de funcionamiento ejecutivo en diferentes trastornos de la clínica neuropsicológica infantil. La integración de estos aportes permite comprender la heterogeneidad del déficit ejecutivo en trastornos infantiles que no necesariamente cursan con patología primaria de los lóbulos frontales.
Abstract Lately, the study of executive functions (EF) in different neurodevelop-mental disorders has been on the increase in the area of child neuropsychology. The present article analyses the primary theoretical models of executive functioning in children, concerning both clinical assessment and educational practice. In terms of EF neuroanatomical bases, it surpasses neurofunctional models which not only emphasize the fluid relation between the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the EF, but also the worthy connections between the PFC and different cortical regions and subcortical structures. Finally, we examine EF profiles regarding different clinical child neuropsychological disorders. The former contributions, allow the understanding of the heterogeneity of the executive deficit in child disorders that not certainly account for frontal lobes pathology.