These deficits in attentional capacity have implications related to the academic success of these children. Given the potential for remediation strategies within this domain, neuropsychological assessment can be an integral aspect of long-term care plans of survivors of childhood cancer.

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Objective This study aimed to clarify the relationship between a self-report measure of set-shifting and performance-based measures of set-shifting as compared to FSIQ using the Trail Making Test-Part B (TMT-B), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) perseverative responses, Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A) self-report shift index, and the full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV). Method Data from 65 individuals (34 females, mean age 36) from an outpatient clinic in Chicagoland was analyzed using 2 block-wise hierarchical regression analyses with BRIEF-A shift as the outcome variable and TMT-B, WCST, and WAIS-IV FSIQ data as the predictor variables. Results Intelligence accounted for 4.7% (R2 = 0.047, p = 0.08) of the unique variance in BRIEF-A Shift self-report. In contrast, the TMT-B and WCST data accounted for little unique variance in the model and was to significantly correlated (R2 = 0.028, p = 0.416). Conclusion The current data somewhat surprisingly indicates that FSIQ is a more robust predictor of BRIEF Shift than performance-based measures of cognitive flexibility. Implications including an understanding of response bias, general aptitude, and normative comparisons will be discussed.

Objective The current study compares performance on measures of executive functioning in individuals with a history of 2 or more mTBI versus those with a single documented mTBI. Specific interaction with emotional distress was explored. Method A database from neuropsychological assessment of individuals noting deficits following head injury including 273 individuals provided a sample of 174 males, 98 females (one case missing data); mean age = 21.82 years; mean education = 10.16 years. Executive functioning was measured using the Trails Making Test Form B (TMT-B), Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (DKEFS) Design Fluency, and Semantic Fluency instruments. Emotional distress was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Results MANCOVA was employed to determine the effect of multiple head injuries versus one upon cognitive performance after controlling for depression and anxiety. Group differences between those with one versus 2 or more mTBI were present (Wilk’s η = 0.907, F (3, 125) = 4.256, p = 007, Partial η2 = 0.093). Significant differences were not noted with regard to emotional distress (BAI, p = 0.97 l BDI, p = 0.87). Between subject effects identified significant differences between groups in performance on DKEFS Design Fluency (p = 0.05) and Semantic Fluency (P = 0.04), while significant groups differences were not evident Trailmaking Test B performance (P = 0.20). Conclusion Overall, those who had previous concussions performed better on measures of executive functioning. Measures of emotional functioning were not a significant covariate of cognitive performance. Implications and limitations of the current study will be discussed.