Objective versus subjective measures of executive functions; predictors of participation and quality of life in Parkinson’s disease?

Publication date: Available online 17 April 2017
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Thialda T. Vlagsma, Janneke Koerts, Oliver Tucha, Hilde T. Dijkstra, Annelien A. Duits, Teus van Laar, Jacoba M. Spikman
ObjectiveTo determine whether objective (neuropsychological tests) and subjective measures (questionnaires) of executive functions (EF) are associated in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and to determine to what extent level of participation and QoL of PD patients can be predicted by these measures of EF.DesignCorrelational research design (case-control and prediction design).SettingAssessment took place at departments of Neuropsychology of three medical centers in The Netherlands.Participants42 PD patients and relatives. 94 healthy controls.InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresA test battery measuring EF. In addition, patients, their relatives and controls completed the DEX, BAFQ and BDEFS-tm questionnaires measuring complaints about EF. Participation and QoL were measured with the IPA and the PDQ-39, respectively.ResultsPD patients showed impairments in EF on objective tests and reported significantly more complaints in EF than healthy controls. No associations were found between patients' performances on objective and subjective measures of EF. However, both objective and subjective measures predicted patients' level of participation. In addition, subjective measures of EF predicted QoL in PD patients.ConclusionsThese findings show that objective and subjective measures of EF are not interchangeable and that both approaches predict level of participation and QoL of PD patients. However, within this context, gender needs to be taken into account.



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