Investigating the validity of D-KEFS for executive functions in TBI
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the validity of the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) test as a neuropsychological assessment tool for executive functions in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in the UK
IRAS ID
218467
Contact name
Yin Ming Chan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 3 months, 6 days
Research summary
Disturbance of executive functioning is one of the common consequences of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) at all levels of severity. Deficits in executive function may impact upon an individual’s daily life on problem solving and functional independence. Therefore, assessing the various facets of executive functioning is relevant for the rehabiltation planning in TBI patients. Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) is a battery of neuropsychological test which specifically evaluates executive functioning of individuals. However, studies incorporating the D-KEFS to evaluate executive function deficits of TBI patients with orthopaedic subjects which are considered a ‘gold standard’ control group for TBI studies are still less plentiful.
The current study will compare performances of patients with TBI to orthopaedic controls on 6 subtests of the D-KEFS battery. The D-KEFS subtests to be used are Verbal Fluency, Design Fluency, Colour Word Interference Test, Trail Making Test, Sorting Test and Tower Test. Estimates of pre-injury intelligence, information processing speed, working memory and performance validity (‘Effort’ or ‘Response bias’) will also be obtained from conventional measures (the TOPF, WAIS IV Processing Speed Index, WAIS IV Letter-Number Sequencing and WMT) to increase the validity of the findings. The data for individuals with TBI (n= ~40-50) would be collected as part of the protocol from another research study. Participants in the orthopaedic group (n= ~40-50) will be recruited through the Trauma and Orthopaedics outpatient team at the University Hospital Birmingham. Those who agree to participate will be asked to complete the tests. All the tests will be administered to the consented participants by the chief investigator.
REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/WM/0269
Date of REC Opinion
31 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion