Measuring executive function in people with severe aphasia: Comparing neuropsychological tests and informant ratings

Knowledge about patients' executive function is important in the rehabilitation of language and communication in stroke patients with aphasia. Due to linguistic demands, most neuropsychological tests are unsuitable for this population, and it might seem appealing to use informant report of executive function as a substitute.

To investigate the relationships between scores on a neuropsychological test and informant ratings of executive function, as well as between the informant ratings and the functional communication ability, in people with severe aphasia after stroke.

Thirty-eight people with severe aphasia and their significant others participated. Executive function was tested with parts of the neuropsychological screening instrument CLQT and rated by significant others (informants) using BRIEF-A. Functional communication was assessed with a standardised test and rated by significant others.

Results revealed few correlations between CLQT and BRIEF-A. There was no correlation between informant ratings on BRIEF-A and scores on the measures of functional communication.

Informant ratings of executive function do not measure the same construct as, and cannot be used as a substitute for, standardised neuropsychological tests. Informant ratings of executive function do not seem to provide information that is relevant to the understanding of functional communication in people with severe aphasia.