How Executive Functions Are Evaluated in Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy? A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Executive functions are crucial for cognitive and behavioral regulation.
• Cerebral Palsy (CP) can significantly affect motor and cognitive development, including executive functions.
• Understanding how executive functions are assessed in children with CP is vital for effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and analyze the methods used to assess executive functions in children and adolescents with Cerebral Palsy.
• To identify commonly used assessment tools and highlight potential gaps in current research practices.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review was conducted across four major bibliographic databases (WebScience, Scopus, PubMed, Psycinfo).
• Studies were selected based on the evaluation of at least one executive function.
• Research and reporting adhered to Cochrane's recommendations and PRISMA guidelines.

Main Results:

• The D-KEFS (Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System) was the most frequently utilized assessment instrument.
• Consistent evidence indicates impairments in executive functions among individuals with CP, affecting various cognitive and life domains.
• A wide array of tests and tasks were employed, but information on specific adaptations for CP was largely absent.

Conclusions:

• There is a need to standardize research protocols for assessing executive functions in the context of CP interventions.
• Future research should document test/task adaptations tailored to the specific needs of children with CP.
• Findings offer implications for refining research methodologies and clinical practice guidelines.