Abstract
ObjectiveTo assess cognitive function in children and adolescents presenting with acute conversion symptoms.
MethodsFifty-seven participants aged 8.5-18years (41 girls and 16 boys) with conversion symptoms and 57 age- and gender-matched healthy controls completed the IntegNeuro neurocognitive battery, an estimate of intelligence, and self-report measures of subjective emotional distress.
ResultsParticipants with conversion symptoms showed poorer performance within attention, executive function, and memory domains. Poorer performance was reflected in more errors on specific tests: Switching of Attention (t(79)=2.17, p=.03); Verbal Interference (t(72)=2.64, p=.01); Go/No-Go (t(73)=2.20, p=.03); Memory Recall and Verbal Learning (interference errors for memory recall; t(61)=3.13, p
ConclusionsChildren and adolescents with acute conversion symptoms have a reduced capacity to manipulate and retain information, to block interfering information, and to inhibit responses, all of which are required for effective attention, executive function, and memory.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 87-108 |
Number of pages | 22 |
Journal | Journal of Neuropsychology |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2015 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- conversion disorders
- dissociative disorder
- neurocognitive tests
- attention
- executive function and control
- memory
- dynamic-maturational model