Leiden University Student Repository

Salm, Joey van der (2023)

The impact of cognitive impairments on performance of activities of daily living in brain metastases patients

Master thesis | Psychology (MSc)

Background and objective: Basic activities of daily living (BADL) are expected to be less susceptible to cognitive impairment or decline than instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). This study aimed to enhance insight in brain metastases patients’ ability to fulfil BADL and IADL, and to investigate the degree to which cognitive impairments associate with both categories of ADL. Methods: Differences in BADL and IADL functioning between patients with and without cognitive impairments were determined. In addition, correlations between a change in cognitive functioning and a change in IADL functioning over three months were calculated. Results: A total of 75 patients were included in this analysis, 36 of whom completed follow-up assessment on at least one cognitive domain. As expected, no difference in BADL between cognitively impaired and unimpaired patients was found. Unexpectedly, no differences were found for IADL and overall cognitive status either. Over time, however,...Show moreBackground and objective: Basic activities of daily living (BADL) are expected to be less susceptible to cognitive impairment or decline than instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). This study aimed to enhance insight in brain metastases patients’ ability to fulfil BADL and IADL, and to investigate the degree to which cognitive impairments associate with both categories of ADL. Methods: Differences in BADL and IADL functioning between patients with and without cognitive impairments were determined. In addition, correlations between a change in cognitive functioning and a change in IADL functioning over three months were calculated. Results: A total of 75 patients were included in this analysis, 36 of whom completed follow-up assessment on at least one cognitive domain. As expected, no difference in BADL between cognitively impaired and unimpaired patients was found. Unexpectedly, no differences were found for IADL and overall cognitive status either. Over time, however, deterioration in some specific neurocognitive domains was associated with a decrease in certain IADL performance, although correlations were weak to moderate (range: ρ = 0.338 - 0.475). Conclusion: This study did not provide evidence that overall impaired cognition influences IADL functioning but did indicate a positive association between executive functioning and IADL performance. Further research is needed to better quantify the association between cognitive and ADL functioning in brain metastases patients, and to assess whether this finding holds true for patients with other types of brain tumors.Show less

Author

Salm, Joey van der

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

Clinical Neuropsychology

Supervisors

Schuitema, I.

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en